
LIBRARY OF CONGRESS. 



?S^ 



- 



Chap._j_~__. Copyright Xo. 
Shelf_Jk*$S 



UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. 



The Shrine of Love 




The everlasting hills that rise, 

And streams that murmur music's strain 

Shall say, 'How sweet is she.' " 

— Loyk's Tribute, Pg. 107. 



The Shrine of Love 

and 

Other Poems 



Lucien V. Rule 



» 



PRINTED UNDER THE DIRECTION OF 

HERBERT S. STONE £r COMPANY 

CHICAGO &- NEW YORK 

MDCCCXCVIII 



COPYRIGHT, 1898, BY 
LUCIEN V. RULE 



\\ 



fr'l 






Contents 



A DEDICATION 

DEDICATION OF THE SHRINE OF LOVE 

THE SHRINE OF LOVE 



Page 

V 

VII 



PART FIRST. 

" SECOND. 

" THIRD. 

" FOURTH. 

" FIFTH. 

" SIXTH. 

u SEVENTH. 



"THE STORY OF A FAITHLESS 

IDEAL" 
"THE DAWNING OF A TRUER 

LOVE" 
"A CRUCIAL TEST" 
4 ' THE WAYS OF LOVE " 
"WHEN ALL LOVE'S HOPE 

HAS FALLEN" 
" SEPARATION" 



'through trials to trust 
supreme" 
' * eighth. ' ' love unspeakable at last" 
lyrics of love 
the greek crisis 
lyrics of liberty 
the cause of cuba 
America's answer 

on reported french enmity to america 
why should she now be spared ? 



13 
21 

28 

45 
55 

73 

8o 

85 

109 

115 
119 
127 
129 
131 



A Dedication 

O lonely lives in whose sad sky 
No star of hope now softly beams; 

Who sit in endless night, and sigh 
For lovers glad dawn that never gleams, 

It is for you, for you, I seek ! 

lonely lives that never share 
The solace of a sweet caress ; 
Who love and hunger to despair, 
But win no word of kindliness ; 
In your behalf my soul would speak ! 

O lonely lives that firmly kept 

Affection's faith through every fate ; 

But saw at last your rapture swept 
By wildest storms that desolate ; 

For you, for you, my breast doth bleed I 

lonely hearts that nobly built 
In hopeful faith a holy shrine ; 

But soon beheld the traitorous guilt 
Of the dear idol deemed divine ; 

1 fully know your awful need! 

lonely souls that loved and longed, 

As only lofty souls can do ; 
But stood at last betrayed and wronged 

By just the frie7id ye thought was true ; 
Let these my lines yotir solace be ! 

O lonely lives so sadly dazed, 

And blinded by dear hope's defeat ; 

O weary ones whose eyes are raised 
To find a shelter from life's heat, 

Receive, receive these so?igs from me! 



Dedication of 
The Shrine of Love 

In the still night-time of obscurity 
I have been building in my boundless love 
A shrine aspiring toward the stars above ; 
And wonder if at dawn its form will be 
Aladdin-like and fair for all to see; 
That I may say to her whom I adore, 
"Behold a temple in which evermore 
This happy heart of mine shall worship thee ; 
And show thy soul to lovers everywhere ! " 
But if it prove an humble edifice, 
Unnoticed by the world, a soothing thought 
Shall still reward me for my ceaseless care, 
And weary time of waiting, and 'tis this — 
"O Sweet, for love of thee the work was 
wrought ! " 



The Shrine of Love 



PART FIRST 



The Story of a Faithless Ideal 

" ' Tis But a Simple Bird I See." 
Sweetheart, 'tis but a simple bird I see, 
Beneath the broad and spacious summer skies ; 
Yet in its gentle bosom I surmise 
A wondrous wealth of tenderness to be. 
And few the notes that make its melody, 
Uttered in such a winsome, artless wise ; 
But where the mate that hears those accents rise 
Could ill esteem their tender, plaintive plea? 
Crude is the phrase in which my heart makes 

known 
The deep affection it has cherished long ; 
Yet sweet as balm by April breezes blown 
Its meaning is ; nor bard's immortal song 
Could tell the story of a love more true 
Though it should sound earth's wide dominions 
through ! 



THE SHRINE OF LOVE 

"How Sweet Thy Beauty Is." 
Can it be true thou dost not care nor know 
How pure and sweet thy beauty is to me? 
That with thee near 'tis like the jubilee 
Of spring, when all her kindly breezes blow, 
When coursing sylvan streams melodious flow, 
And each glad bird has won its chosen mate ; 
That when afar thou art, though desolate 
The days and all the fields, a tender glow 
Lives in my heart, if but one word or smile 
Of thine in some sweet interval I gain? 
Ah, if thy every glance can so beguile 
All gloom, and unto nobler being thrill 
My soul, dear maiden, is my longing vain 
That wooest the blessing of thy beauty still? 

°k 

"True Souls in Love" 
True souls in love are mild as any breeze 
The sunniest day in summer's season hath ; 
But ah, when roused by wrong to righteous 

wrath, 
The words they speak are like the surging seas 
That wildly thunder forth their melodies 
Along the shore ; and though they may relent 
From sternness ; yet, alas, the wound that went 
To the heart's core cannot be healed with ease. 
It is no idle thing to coldly sneer, 
And hold aloof from them with high hauteur, 
When at love's altar they sincerely bow ; 
For she who scorns will soon discover how 
The heavenliest love is fierce as fiendish hate 
When wronged, abandoned, and left desolate! 
2 



THE STORY OF A FAITHLESS IDEAL 

"Thou hast no Heart.'' 
What is thy claim to lofty character, 
That thou shouldst scornful unto others be? 
There is no trait of nobleness in thee ; 
For if thy thoughts would only once recur 
To thy small deeds, it were enough to stir 
A stolid soul to shame ! Thou hast no heart ; 
So centred in thy petty self thou art, 
That 'tis delight to thee to cast a slur [fore. 
At humbler ones whom thou shouldst bow be- 
Blue-blooded ! Ah, the billows on the shore 
Are not more empty than thy boast ! 'Tis they 
Who live for love that win renown today ; 
And one pure-hearted pauper has more worth 
Than all the soulless kings that strut the earth ! 



"The Lack of Soul in Thee." 
Thou dost not e'en deserve to walk with these 
Thou scornest so ; for what are we unless 
Susceptible to simple kindliness? 
What profit all thy luxury and ease, 
Thy empty pleasure, and thy aim to please 
The throngs of wealth, when thou didst fail, 

to bless [press ! 

The one who loved thee more than words ex- 
'Tis truth of soul that through the centuries 
Leads on the world to what it yet shall be. 
The noble-hearted need no loud display 
To call attention unto what they are ; 
But silent shine, like evening's beacon star; 
And all thy petty airs and proud array 
Show but the more the lack of soul in thee. 



THE SHRINE OF LOVE 

(She shows further that her selfish pursuit of 
empty pleasure has stifled the gentleness 
of heart and refinement of soul she at first 
possessed; and it sadly wounds his higher 
nature. ) 

°% 

" When She We Trusted is Remiss." 
No sorrow to the soul can e'er occur 
More sickening sad, than when at last we see 
The one we thought was lofty prove to be 
Unworthy. Then wild anguish seems to stir 
The very stars, and all the skies to blur. 
Affection in the shattered idol seeks 
Just one redeeming thing, but Honor speaks : 
"There is no truth therein ; the traits that were 
So tender to thine eyes, are but deceit." 
There is no sweeping storm more harsh than 

this; 
No sorrow so resembling desert heat ; 
Nor wastes of ocean waters, where no bliss 
Of bird ascends to make the morning sweet — 

When she we trusted is, alas, remiss ! 

"I did not hold her Perfect" 
I did not hold her perfect, hence this stroke 
Of woe springs not from a few natural flaws ; 
But from the disregard of all love's laws ; 
And Heaven's sweet charity could never cloak 
Her cruel falseness now. When I awoke, 
And walked the streets thereafter, oh how sad 
Seemed even faces that were gay and glad ! 
Then from my lips harsh execrations broke ; 
4 



THE STORY OF A FAITHLESS IDEAL 

And I exclaimed, "If thus my fellows do, 
What profits it that I should still prove true?" 
But soon with yearning eyes, and hands up- 
raised, 
I vowed to still be noble. E'en though dazed, 
And blinded by the thought that she could treat 
My soul so ill, I trampled down deceit ! 

"Mine Outraged Feelings asked" 
Mine outraged feelings asked, "What is the use 
Of worthiness in me, when one so fair 
As she is formed, can cast aside all care 
For her high womanhood and so induce 
The blasting arrows of deserved abuse?" 
The sweetest creature under all the sun 
She seemed at first — my soul's anointed one ; 
But like a robber now who, by some ruse, 
Inspires, then wrongs and strips the heart, she 

seems. 
And though my every thought toward her was 

right, 
I feel from contact tainted in love's sight ; 
And cry aloud, "Oh that I had the might 
To turn my soul, which even yet esteems 
Her precious, unto eyes with kindlier gleams!" 

"Love is so Sovereign." 
Sometimes a sneer and harshly-mocking laugh 
Leap to my lips, and seem to say aloud, 
"Thou fool ! Thy spirit should be far too proud 
To bow to one who holds thy love but chaff ; 
Too lofty to submit, and meekly quaff 
5 



THE SHRINE OF LOVE 

The cup of servitude she offers thee. 

Stand forth again before her strong and free ! 

Let pity plead a while in her behalf, 

While thou dost seem devoid of all regard ; 

Then shall her heart relent, and be less hard!" 

But ah, I silent sit, and merely sigh. 

Love is so sovereign that, if I should try 

The cut of coldness to obtain release, 

Love would arouse at once, and bid me cease. 

°k 

"One Consolation lefty 
There is one consolation left with me : 
When love and time have softened what is sad, 
I'll take the hints of Heaven that once I had 
Through thee, and on them yet build tenderly 
The beauteous soul I thought thine own to be. 
I will forget the times when thou didst treat 
Me harshly, and revert to seasons sweet. 
There is no bliss to me in blaming thee ; 
For I already have enough to bear 
In the sad fall of what I hoped to share, 
Wronged was my pride, and blasted all my 

peace ; 
But I shall seek with Nature sweet release, 
And only think of thee with tenderness ; 
And after while mine anguish may be less. 

To Nature once more. 
Dear Nature, still thy scenes shall solace me, 
Though left by her who holds my life's warm 

love. 
The skies, still blue and beautiful above, 
6 



THE STORY OF A FAITHLESS IDEAL 

Seem listening to my soul's rejected plea ; 
The larks uplift their notes still tenderly 
To say that though her voice, once kind, refuse 
To cheer me now, amid the morning dews 
Their wakening music will but softer be. 
The breeze still meets me with its warm caress, 
Though her dear arms my life shall never bless ; 
Though her dear lips refuse their tender touch, 
The kisses of the sunbeams still hold much 
Of Heaven for me, and still the stars are sweet 
With light and love, untarnished by deceit. 



"I will not Blame the World" 
I will not blame the whole wide world when I 
Find thee unfaithful ; thou art only one ; 
And shall I say in haste that there are none 
With kindly hearts ; are none who nobly try 
To keep the laws of truth? My soul may sigh 
That thou wast faithless, and may never find 
Another who can just as sweetly bind 
Love's bonds about it ; but will not deny 
Itself unto all others ; 'twill receive 
With joy each friendly word that may relieve 
The wearing of its burden. Though I miss 
At morning, noon, and night thy loving kiss ; 
The anguish of its absence still may be 
A little lessened by each smile I see. 

A Stainless Soul still left. 
Life and a stainless soul are still with me, 
Though of all else I have been sadly robbed. 
7 



THE SHRINE OF LOVE 

Toward one I thought was constant sweetly 

throbbed 
This breast of mine, but ah, she proved to be 
Deceptive as the winds that sweep the sea ! 
I have been wronged, rejected and disdained ; 
But still the heights of heaven have I gained, 
And shown that e'en her scorn and treachery 
Shall spur me onward to more proudly win. 
Then will I rise, and from this hour begin 
With hope the course of my career once more. 
Twill make me gentler than I was before ; 
Because my breast was bruised, and made to 

bleed, 
I now can feel a fellow-creature's need. 



"There are Two Lives within." 
There are two lives within — one of the sky 
That lifts us to the lofty and the true, 
And yields us joy in everything we do. 
Another of the world, which doth defy, 
And oft defeat the first, though hard it try. 
Of these two lives thou hadst the choice be- 
tween — 
To serve the first whose pathways are serene, 
Or that whose sure result is sorrow's sigh. 
Alas, the latter thou didst take, and gone 
Forever is the glory that was thine ! 
When first we met, thou seemedst as the dawn 
Ascending into vernal day divine ; 
And love's sweet dew was on thy trembling 

lips; 
But ah, sad shadows now thy soul eclipse ! 



THE STORY OF A FAITHLESS IDEAL 

"Be still my Heart" 
Be still my heart; say nothing more to her; 
She is unworthy of thy notice now. 
When such as she, whom Nature doth endow 
With just the precious traits that we prefer 
Above all others, can so sadly blur, 
And blot life's page, in speechless grief we bow. 
Wild questionings within us clamor, "How 
Could she do thus?" and throbs of anguish stir 
The soul like some great storm that sweeps and 

roars 
Amid the forest, or on ocean's shores. 
But let her be ! When favored spirits fail, 
The crown of love is unto others given. 
Remorse, worse than thy grief, will soon assail 
Her, and like some lone bark shall she be driven ! 

" There is One Wound." 
There is one wound I would to heaven were 
Not left behind amid my shattered bliss. 
Far worse than fallen hopes it is, ah, this — 
Whene'er my soul hereafter shall recur 
To thee, alas, my lingering love will stir, 
And keep me even from a higher joy. 
O dearest, thou didst not alone destroy 
My happiness ; for if, a worshiper, 
To any other woman's shrine I went, 
And even won her willing soul's consent, 
This wound within me still would sadly start, 
And cry aloud, "Thou canst not give thy 

heart!" 
Alas, a two-fold crime is charged to thee — 
Wronging another one as well as me ! 
9 



THE SHRINE OF LOVE 

"Show me a Life" 
Show me a life that Truth cannot despise ; 
Show me a love unmixed with self desire ! 
Alas, men feign affection to acquire 
The object that awakes their treacherous eyes ! 
Pretenders to devotion's holy sighs, 
They are so heartless, shallow-souled, and 

stained, 
It were but justice should they be disdained, 
Till from their shameless waywardness they 

rise. 
But Honor's scorn is nothing in their sight ; 
And Love alone can lead them to the light. 
Each worthy heart enlisted in behalf 
Of higher things shall lift this wayward world 
Toward heights where heavenly banners are 

unfurled, 
And sin-parched souls of God's pure rills may 

quaff. 

°k 

"Like One without a Rudder on the Sea." 
Now am I in this weary world like one 
Who drifts without a rudder on the sea, 
And vainly lifts his eyes to find a lea 
Where fellow-creatures dwell, and toward the 

sun 
The birds ascend when daybreak is begun ; 
Thirsting a thousand leagues from where the 

streams 
With music gush to greet the morning gleams. 
I watch the days their weary circles run ; 
But looking to the boundless blue above, 
I vow to still keep holy life and love ; 
10 



THE STORY OF A FAITHLESS IDEAL 

And still have hope that I ere long shall learn 
The reason why our souls so often yearn, 
Yet when they seek the object of their joy, 
There is a Providence which doth destroy. 

Seeking his Soul's Counterpart. 
Men call me fanciful because my heart, 
Formed on the order of the nobler kind, 
Sighs for a maiden nature rare, refined, 
Created as mine own sweet counterpart. 
I've passed a myriad by whose beauty art 
Makes classic in productions wondrous fair, 
Since vainly I sought soul communion there. 
But I will wait, though disappointment's dart 
Should shatter every future hope to me. 
For ah, some blissful day new notes may claim 
This harp of mine, and skies be glad with 

gleams. 
For some true soul it may be mine to see, 
And love — a soul whose sweetness is the same 
I seek, though such now but celestial seems. 

A Wise Conclusion. 
O soul that seekest friendship's benison, 
Give to the winds all care for rank and pride ! 
Can ever empty social creeds decide 
Where thou canst find a truly noble one 
Worthy of thy dependence, and upon 
Whom thou canst place the jewel of thy love? 
Ah, rather know thy needs are all above 
Such petty circumscriptions, and that none 
Shall reach the sacred precincts of that shrine 
ii 



THE SHRINE OF LOVE 

Where mutual confidence unhindered springs, 
And thy most dearly treasured thoughts are told, 
Excepting one whose bosom beats with thine ; 
And none but such, though recognized by kings, 
And all the pomp of earth's imperial gold! 



12 



PART SECOND 



The Dawning of a Truer Love 

(Long afterward he meets another, who, 
while neither beautiful nor of proud social posi- 
tion, nevertheless possesses exceeding sweet- 
ness of heart, and refinement of soul. He is 
impressed with her, and there duly begins the 
dawning of a new affection within him. ) 

°k 

From the Old to the New. 
At first this olden love seemed everything 
That ardent fancy could conceive of fair ; 
But ah, too late I found were wanting there 
All tender traits to which my soul could cling. 
And after weary years of wandering, 
As sounds anew some warbler's wooing strain, 
Thy coming was: "But not so soon again," 
Said I, "shall love its sad deception bring." 
Yet ah ; as after one sweet bird sends out 
Its note, another and another starts 
Forth into singing all the forest through, 
Each beauty of thy nature 'mid my doubt, 
Aroused me to behold a heart of hearts 
Beyond my wildest dreams, divine and true ! 
13 



THE SHRINE OF LOVE 

"Afy Heart was like a Flower." 
Ah, dearest, this my heart was like a flower 
In some far forest's lonely solitude ; 
Unnurtured till the tender sunlight wooed 
It forth to share the summer song and shower. 
And since thy sweetness found me, every hour 
Has such a boon of heaven seemed to be, 
My soul would all affection's fragrancy 
Exhale to thee whose grace imbues with power 
Its strivings after nobleness divine. 
But ah, a sadness mingles with my bliss ! 
Sweet once to me was Beauty's slightest smile ; 
But now I've known this perfect love of thine; 
And should my rapture e'er be less than this, 
Earth's gold nor glory could my gloom beguile ! 

°% 

"O Soul Elixir, that ne'er satisfies ." 
When my warm heart was wont to yearning 

woo [deigned 

At Beauty's shrine for each slight smile she 
To give, I said, "Were glorious love but gained, 
The skies above would be forever blue !" 
But of this love, alas, I little knew ! 
Each summit of affection when attained, 
Though rapturous it seems, still leaves me 

pained, 
Another height near heaven looking to. 
O soul elixir that ne'er satisfies, 
Would all the notes of mating birds were mine, 
That in one flight of music, wild, and sweet, 
To sing my adoration I might rise ! 
And yet what strain of melody divine 
Could half the lover's bosom feels repeat? 
14 




" Some Lonely Solitude. 



THE DAWNING OF A TRUER LOVE 

•« Why say est Thou that I would Prove 
Untrue?" 
What say est thou that I would prove untrue, 
Should I this high renown I seek secure, 
And in the smiles of Beauty bask? Ah, sure 
Thou hast forgot how mine affection grew — 
First love's faint gleam, and then the glorious 

blue 
Of heaven when every cloud of doubt withdrew. 
Since Beauty, dearest, is but just the beam 
That biddeth gloom depart, and not the stream 
Of after radiance that doth so renew 
The soul ; then think 'st thou when my bosom 

yearned 
So long to find Affection's perfect light, 
'T would with its semblance merely be content? 
If once the heart from thee to love has learned, 
'Twill loyal be on glory's lofty height, 
'Mid ail the arts of Beauty's blandishment. 

(He meets and addresses the old love ; rebuk- 
ing her scorn of him, and her unworthiness). 

"A Bitter Truth Thou wilt be Taught'* 
Since for society's flattery thou hast sought, 
I hope that thou hast had thy heart's content ; 
When for the fawnings of the opulent, 
A noble nature's love was set at naught. 
But ah, a bitter truth thou wilt be taught, 
When all these empty flatteries are spent, 
And thou rememberest him whose heart was 

rent, 

15 



THE SHRINE OF LOVE 

A love was offered thee that could have brought 

The laurels of a heroine of song, 

And made thy name an honor everywhere. 

But now they're given a worthier than thou art. 

Not unto those who do affection wrong 

Is sent renown ; or, if renown they share, 

'Tis that of one who wounds a trusting heart. 

"The Records of Our Love." 
Ah, like the volume of some glorious bard 
That heavenward singing soared, then sadly 

fell, 
The records seem of our old love which tell 
A story that was sweet, but so ill-starred. 
While thou thyself canst heartlessly discard 
All that whereon dear memory used to dwell, 
I simply sigh, "Alas, perhaps 'tis well!" 
The poet's tender pages, not the hard, 
Unfeeling ones I find that I peruse ; 
And so upon each kindly word and tone 
Of thine it is my wont to only dwell, 
When rambling in the happy fields alone. 
But comes the thought, "How could she roughly 

use 
Devotion, and its every sign disown?" 

(To the later love again. ) 

He Rejoices in Her. 
Ah, thou didst come into my life more fair 
Than morning to the fields ; strong-souled and 

sweet ; 
Impulsive-hearted, but with all the heat 
16 



THE DAWNING OF A TRUER LOVE 

And haste of feeling calmed by wisdom's care ; 
One patient to endure the ceaseless wear 
Of this harsh world, yet free from all deceit ; 
One who will stand unmoved, when roughly 

beat 
Misfortune's storms. A being heavenly rare ; 
Not falsely proud; yet as refined and tiue 
As that high type of which the world has 

few — 
Not low in nature, but one who can love . 
Life's humbler things no less than things above, 
In stately halls — a soul which can inspire, 
And yet can satisfy my least desire. 

•=* 

'■'■Think not Thy Lover False" 
Think not thy lover false, when far from thee, 
He genial finds another's word and smile; 
For, oh, the world, which gloomy seemed the 

while 
Before thy kindness beamed, has come to be 
So radiant now, that he can even see 
A glory in the humblest flower that springs. 
And thou hast so attuned the harshest strings 
Of all his nature to the harmony 
Of thy dear heart, seraphically sweet ; 
That, though to him there's music everywhere, 
'Tis but an echo of thy tender tone, 
Or thought, with wisdom's subtlest power re- 
plete ; 
Nor courtly throngs of all the earth's most 

fair 
Could make his homage other than thine own. 
17 



THE SHRINE OF LOVE 

"Of Thy High Trust no more be Un- 
aware. 
Of thy high trust no more be unaware, 
If dear its charge thou never yet hast deemed. 
For, ah, a noble, gifted soul that dreamed 
To find in Beauty all his fancies fair, 
Beheld them blasted as in empty air, 
Then walked the world in sadness, till there 

gleamed [streamed 

Love's light from thee; and now when it has 
To the clear splendor of the dawn, oh where 
Would solace spring, if this should ever wane? 
Incarnate evidence to him thou art 
That all his cherished dreams at last are true ; 
And since thy smile did bid to bloom again 
The blighted blossoms of his worthy heart, 
Keep for them still love's wooing warmth and 

dew. 

"Soul Love, and Love for Nature." 
Soul love and love for Nature are the same 
In character ; for, as dear Nature now 
Is fairer than when first she taught me how 
To strip of sordidness my life's high aim — 
Thy wondrous love, that with its solace came 
To my sad heart, has since but sweet increase 
Of rapture brought, and all-pervading peace. 
And just as soon the sunset's gorgeous flame, 
That builds within the west its battlement 
Of splendor, shall forever lose all joy 
For me, as thy dear love, which long has lent 
Such gladness unto every hour's employ. 
For now on both my soul is too intent 
For a time its strong devotion to destroy. 
18 



THE DAWNING OF A TRUER LOVE 

"If I should ever Take Offense." 
Ah, dearest, should I ever take offense 
At some slight thing thou thoughtlessly hast 

done, 
So slight, perhaps, that not another one 
But I would look upon it in that sense ; 
Know that my love for thee is so intense, 
And that of all the glad earth's smiles is none 
So sweet as thine, 'tis just as if the sun, 
That beams in heaven above, were blotted 

thence, 
To see thy kindness toward me ever less. 
But say not thou a heart so sensitive 
As this in its affection will not last ; 
For, it is such as these that stand the stress 
Of bitterest scorn, and in return but give 
The tenderness they proved in all the past. 



A Sweetness beyond all Speech. 
Like blissful notes the birds at dawning blend, 
First came the consciousness of love to me ; 
Then the wide world more beauteous grew to 

be; 
But when I tried that light to comprehend, 
So far its sweetness did all thought transcend, 
That, like the birds, with look uplifted to 
The boundless realms of the celestial blue, 
I gazing stood — thrilled as though I could 

spend 
A life-time there ; but ah, no burst of song 
Within me wakened then, for love had streamed 
Across my heart so wildly sweet and strong, 
19 



THE SHRINE OF LOVE 

I could but stand with speechless rapture 

dazed ; 
And unto thee I shall henceforth belong 
Whose heavenly soul mine own so lofty raised. 



20 



PART THIRD 



A Crucial Test 

(He learns that the former object of his 
affection is in distress of heart ; that she sighs 
for his presence, and desires his favor again. ) 

"Poor Shattered Wreck." 
Poor'shattered wreck of what thou wast, O why 
Return again to tear this heart of mine? 
Why show me now the sad, dismantled shrine 
Of thy lost beauty, once so like the sky, 
Where love-delighted larks upspringing fly? 
How can I lessen any grief of thine 
By quaffing further of life's bitter brine? 
What profit to the alien that he sigh 
To cross the seas, and seek his native shore 
Where desolation dwells forevermore ; 
To walk his native city's silent streets 
Where hopeless ruin his tearful vision meets? 
Far rather let those precious scenes appear 
Alone on memory's scroll, serenely dear ! 



THE SHRINE OF LOVE 

"What Good Were It?" 
What good were it should I, despite thy guilt, 
In scorning me, conduct thee once again 
To love's high halls which bear no faithless 

stain? 
'Twas by thy treacherous hand Hope's wine 

was spilt, 
And blasted everything my heart had built ! 
Alas ! my soul is too sincere to feign 
Devotion where it once was shown disdain. 
Yet were these wrongs forgiven though I saw 

wilt 
Affection's fairest flowers before thy scorn. 
Alas ! how often have I lain till morn 
In lamentation o'er my love for thee; 
How often have I wandered till I'd see 
The twilight star, endeavoring to forget 
How my soul's worship was with mockery met! 



"Now Wilt Thou Say." 

Now wilt thou say for this I stand accursed ; 

That I, who once such boundless love ex- 
pressed, 

Failed utterly at the one vital test ; 

And on my head thy harsh reproach will burst ; 

Though thou hast acted of all beings, worst. 

Hast thou forgot how through the bygone years 

I followed after thee with pleading tears, 

When thou didst put thine empty pleasure 
first: 

Didst take this heart, whose heaven was in 
thine eyes, 

22 



A CRUCIAL TEST 

And cast it down with things that we despise? 
Meseems 'twould make thy wearing woe within 
More awful now, when thou so false hast been. 
Oh what a fall from bright abodes of bliss 
To misery unspeakable, is this ! 

°k 

"My Ster7iness to Thee" 
Say that my sternness to thee is insane ; 
That though thou wert perverse, the world is 

so; 
That I am foolish if my feelings glow 
With anguish at each trifling human stain. 
Go from me then; the simplest warbler's 

strain 
Is sweeter than thyself, and has more heart, 
And wandering in the forest will impart 
Far more relief than seeking thee again. 
Say I should suit myself to earth, and be 
Like others, else they soon will look on me 
As some strange creature crazed about a fault. 
Alas ! then well and good ; my heart will halt. 
I would not sell my birthright of the skies 
For all the winsome smiles of woman's eyes ! 

°* 

The True Love. 
Conquer all sinful tendencies, my soul, 
And lift to Heaven my hungering, human 

heart; 
That I may show the world my love is part 
Of that eternal, ever-perfect Whole, 
Toward which the circling centuries onward 

roll. 

23 



THE SHRINE OF LOVE 

A love which can console with sweet caress, 

Yet hath no self-desire nor sordidness ; 

A love which shields from stain life's sacred 

scroll, 
Yet kindlier makes our every deed and word. 
These coarser ones who need the gaudy 

show 
Of fashion's halls to set their hearts aglow, 
Have never yet his holy whisper heard ; 
For though love's pulses warmly thrill and 

beat, 
His spirit is divinely pure and sweet ! 



"Ah, Say Not Now to Me!" 
Ah ! say not now to me in thy defense 
That it were wiser that I execrate 
Men's base hypocrisy, than to berate 
A woman's worldliness with such intense, 
And wounding words; for darker and more 

dense 
Becomes thy guilt ; since thou didst sneer at 

me, 
Whose heart for one was from all treason free. 
Keener than other women's was the sense 
Of right and wrong with which thou wert en- 
dowed ; 
And thou who couldst have stood amid the 

crowd 
Of this sin-serving world as Truth's own type,* 
Compelling men to waken and to wipe 
Deception from their souls, didst stoop, alas, 
From that high station to the foolish class ! 
24 



A CRUCIAL TEST 

"Gone zs Our Guiding Star." 
Heaven knows that I would not one whit ex- 
cuse 
My fellows in their course of heartless wrong; 
Nor speak to them less sternly or less strong 
Of retribution's blow that swift ensues. 
So base they are, that often they abuse 
The holiest things of life for selfish ends 
But ah, there is not one of them that spends 
His days in such indulgence who would lose 
For worlds the lingering smile of woman's eyes 
That wooes him back to honor and the skies ; 
And even he who seems to set at naught 
Her sacred rights, reveres her in his thought. 
Oh then, if love's own vestal virgins mar 
Life's perfect page, gone is our guiding star! 

s* 

"Tve Suffered for Thy Sake" 
What was the Inquisition of old days 
Compared to what I've suffered for thy sake? 
I saw the mighty things that were at stake 
When first thy soul was wilful, and I'd gaze 
In wonder at thee in thy worldly ways. 
And oh ! how oft would I resolve to break 
Through all discretion, and in mercy wake 
Thee from thy foolish, pleasure-following 

craze ! 
I saw deception in thee, while my lips [word ; 
Were silenced, and could speak no warning 
Then came the shadows, and the dark eclipse, 
When of thy utter heartlessness I heard ; 
And I, who once besought of thee love's alms, 
Behold thee pleading now with piteous palms ! 
25 



THE SHRINE OF LOVE 

"I am not able now to Bless." 
Alas ! I am not able now to bless 
And cheer thee as in other days I was. 
While thou wert filling thy fair life with flaws, 
And scorning me who sought thy kind caress ; 
I was ascending through my soul's distress, 
Where I could worship with a love more wise. 
Then ask me not to leave these holier skies, 
And Her I love, to live with something less. 
And as for thee, oh can the winds restore 
Thy guilelessness that unto them was cast? 
Can e'en the loftiest longing that thou hast 
Bring back the beauty which was thine before ; 
Or endless years of anguish re-create 
Life's bartered crown, lamented now too late? 

s* 

Love Changed to Pity. 
When fate divides two trusting hearts that care, 
And cling, 'tis hard to give each other up; 
But ah, to drink and drain the bitter cup 
Of tainted tenderness, and love, once fair, 
Now fallen low, is more than we can bear. 
There is a line where Honor, Truth and Right 
Together stand with swords of flaming light, 
And cry to him who would transgress, "Be- 
ware!" [heart 
And when that line is reached, from out the 
All holy thoughts of her we loved depart ; 
And in their place a pity like the sea, 
Wide, strong, and yearning, comes, whose 

plaintive plea 
To lift the wayward soul whose life is rent, 
Would make the lofty skies themselves relent. 
26 



A CRUCIAL TEST 

(He heeds her call; his reason being that of 
pity and mercy. ) 

V Be Ca/m, My Soul." 
But ah, be calm, my soul, and stand the test ! 
Commingled love and mercy from above 
Are yet as gentle as the dawning' s dove, 
And cross the line to soothe the one distressed, 
Who used thee ill. But ah, it still is best 
That sacred Justice should abide supreme ; 
That e'en the wayward world should still es- 
teem 
The only things through which our life is blest. 
Forgive, aye, and forget ; but nevermore 
Lift the dear idol lofty as before. 
Abide thou always near to kindly heed 
The slightest summons to supply her need ; 
But keep thy life and love forever fair, 
And taintless as the unreached realms of air. 



27 



PART FOURTH 



The Ways of Love 

(He returns to the second love, after having 
soothed the first with sympathy; and then 
addresses the later love to prove his loyalty 
still to her. ) 

Unchanging Love. 
When came my soul to the refreshing spring 
Of thy dear love, 'twas not to quaff, and then 
Indifferent turn away, like other men ; 
For there to me the birds more sweetly sing, 
And newer life and joy hath everything. 
Long sought my heart this happy haven, and 

when 
'Tis found, not lightly hence I'll turn again, 
But through the years thereto more fondly 

cling. 
And never until thou thyself refuse 
To longer let my soul this rapture share, 
Shall I depart ; then will I sadly muse 
Still on it as I wander everywhere. 
But when thy love my bosom so renews, 
Ah, dearest, couldst t thou cease for me to care? 
28 



THE WAYS OF LOVE 

"In Silence at Thy Side." 
In silence at thy side I worship, Sweet — 
The beauteous being sent by Heaven above 
To lift the fallen feelings of my love, 
And make me for a nobler usage meet. 
The first, fair-featured, whom I sought to take, 
Was not the one ; for wiser Heaven brake 
The image down. Ascend thou then love's seat 
Within my soul, and its dear idol be. 
The shrine I have been building was for thee ; 
Each note of rapture struck ; each grief I bore ; 
Each longing unrewarded, more and more 
The bark of my sad spirit onward drew 
To thee, so genial, angel-like, and true. 

(He hears that which makes her seem untrue. 
His feelings, as he afterward expresses them.) 

°k 

"Is She Untrue?" 
When this first sadness had bedimmed the blue 
Of our affection's yet unshadowed skies, 
I turned me toward thee with reproachful eyes, 
And thought, "Is she, alas, become untrue?" 
But, dearest, when my heart reverted to 
Thy kindliness of word and look and tone, 
Which only thou sincerely couldst have shown, 
Devotion touched me, like the vesper dew, 
And soothed my soul of every wound and pain. 
Ah, never knew I till that hour how strong 
Love's holy ties around the heart may be. 
When thou didst sit beside me and explain, 
Oh never seemed the world so sweet with song, 
Or thy dear love so precious unto me ! 
29 



THE SHRINE OF LOVE 

• • When First I had this Saddening 
Thought " 
When first I had this saddening thought of 

thee, 
My heart's dear hopes, that had appeared so 

fair, 
And which I'd cherished with peculiar care, 
Seemed all at once about to blasted be. 
But Love asserted his supremacy 
At last, just as he ever does, and where 
This sadness entered, soon the sunlit air 
Was filled with sweeter happiness for me. 
Ah, dearest, gratitude to fate is due, 
Which proved our credence in this love we'd 

told 
Each other would be more than equal to 
All trials, and last as unalloyed as gold. 
For now I feel that though the ^charge were 

true, 
My heart for thee its ardor still would hold. 

°* 

"O Soul Beloved" 
O soul beloved, when comes a doubt to thee, 
Cast it away, or hasten soon to tell 
Me of it, that I may at once dispel 
It from thee ! Clear as yonder skies must be 
This tender trust between thyself and me. 
Not for a moment must suspicion dwell 
Within the heart. Nay, for I know too well 
How soon is marred its sweet tranquillity ! 
Sometimes occurreth this inquietude ; 
But let our mutual faith abide so sure, 
30 



THE WAYS OF LOVE 

That not a storm which comes, however rude, 

Can makes its anchor any less secure. 

So shall our rapture ever be renewed, 

And as we've hoped, shall through the years 

endure. 

°k 

"Love's Faith." 
Ah, dearest, to the intellect alone 
Comes ever question of thy tenderness. 
The lofty soul unhappy is unless 
It reasons always ; therefore it is prone 
To doubts the heart doth readily disown. 
Hence Beauty, Pride, and Thirst for Glory to 
The intellect appeal, when they untrue 
Would make us. In the heart thy tender tone 
Is, like celestial music, murmuring 
Forever; and distrust ne'er cometh there. 
Each season's splendor surfeits, and must 

change ; 
But thy dear love to my glad heart doth bring 
A joy like that which liveth everywhere, 
At every season in wide Nature's range. 

(He expresses his love with sweeter inten- 
sity.) 

°k 

"There is a Trembling Tenderness in 
Thee." 
There is a trembling tenderness in thee 
That glorifies thy presence like the gleam 
Of morning doth the world ; a seraph's seem 
Thy step and smile and every tone to be, 
Or Nature's self, incarnate, come to me. 
3i 



THE SHRINE OF LOVE 

And when I think to win thy sweet esteem, 
Thou seemest lofty as some lark, whose theme 
Of love is trilled from the infinity 
Of heaven's holy blue, and I but naught. 
Yet when my humble breast declares its need, 
And for thy soothing sympathy doth plead, 
The soul sublime, that in the skies I sought, 
Is back to earth a heart still human brought. 
Ah, dearest, then thou art divine indeed ! 

°k 

Why His Harp Notes are Heard. 
Ah, never think this love I feel for thee 
Is but a theme by which I seek applause ; 
For know, I only speak thereof because 
The sweetness it has brought has made me see 
How blinded to soul-beauty men may be 
Who find in all love's wisdom only flaws ; 
And 'tis to teach the world love's simple laws 
That these my notes are heard. Love is with 

me 
A thing sublime — of life itself the sum ; 
And surely, dearest, if my humble thought 
Has ever cheered a heart, or solace brought, 
The music of my harp should not be dumb. 
And all thy tender traits would then become 
A theme with but intenser sweetness fraught. 

°% 

11 That I Could Prove Untrue!" 
Thou wouldst not think that I could prove un- 
true, 
If thou didst know how dear to me thou art. 
Can love be of the very soul a part ; 
32 



THE WAYS OF LOVE 

Add sweetness unto everything we do, 

Or hope to be ; and, like the morning blue 

Of heaven's horizon, open more sublime, 

The loftier hills of happiness we climb, 

And not endure? True love no limit to 

Its sweetness sets ; for though the past supreme 

With rapture was, the days to be shall bring 

A joy like some celestial jubilee. 

In all the world is but one worthy theme ; 

But one sweet thought to which my heart doth 

cling — 
And that the glorious love thou givest me. 

" When Every Hour Has Proved This 
Love." 
Why thinkest thou that time will witness me 
Less ardent in my tenderness than now? 
Ah, rather have I always wondered how 
A doubt could come about my constancy, 
When every hour has proved this love to be 
So far more sweet than when it first began. 
As well it were to say that they who scan 
With joy the beauty and sublimity 
Of Nature will grow weary after while: 
Of absence ask you? Does the alien who, 
Far from his native land has roamed the world, 
Share less delight, when once again the smile 
Of her dear shore he greets, and in the blue 
Of heaven above her banners are unfurled? 

°k 

"Love's Everlasting Spring." 
O Sweet, the skies and flowers divinely fair 
Have come ! The meadow-larks so tenderly 
33 



THE SHRINE OF LOVE 

Are caroling, it seems thy tone to me ; 

And such a soothing softness has the air, 

'Tis like thy genial presence everywhere. 

The sunny smiles of dewy morn allure 

The blossoms forth so wondrous sweet and 

pure, 
That, like thy thoughts, they bring to me a 

rare 
Delight which nothing else beside inspires. 
Ah, e'en as earth and skies ere long shall seem 
To blend their beauties into one supreme, 
And perfect glory, let each noble thing 
That wakens in our hearts love's sweet desires, 
Unite us in its everlasting spring ! j 



"Oh, Let Us Make This Love of Ours so 
Rare." 

Oh, let us make this love of ours so rare, 
That other loves will like to it be built ; 
A love which like those leaves that never wilt, 
Will change not ; yea, a love which will forbear, 
And will forget, be skies or dark or fair. 
Oh, let us hold such mutual tenderness 
Between us, that our beauteous lives shall bless, 
And cheer all hearts, like morning's balmy air. 
Let every thought and deed in everything, 
Like sweet, harmonious bells accordance ring, 
That others so regardless now, shall pause, 
And learn of us love's ever kindly laws. 
And, dearest, our glad story soon shall cause 
The world to thrill with love's returning 
spring, 

34 



THE WAYS OF LOVE 

"I Love Thee So." 
I love thee so that if my every thought 
Of thee is not as soft as evening dews, 
With bitterness will I myself accuse; 
Yet all the while I know that there is naught 
Can chill the kindness thou to me hast taught. 
To but be in thy presence so imbues 
My breast with purity, and so renews 
My nature, that high Heaven seems nigh me 

brought. 
Oh then, say not that saddening word, "For- 
bear!" 
Nor send me forth thy smile no more to share. 
What arms would sooner shield thee, Sweet, 

than these? 
What soul would sacrifice so much to please 
Thee in all things, or sooner fly to ease 
Thy precious life of every pain and care? 

Aspirations. 
Alas, could I but be what I desire, 
My soul no longer would continue dumb, 
But in immortal words would sound the sum 
Of life and love, like a melodious lyre ! 
But wait, O soul, and soon the warm desire 
For lofty things will so awaken thee, 
That thou wilt wing the ether wild and free 
As warblers when the dawn is fair with fire. 
It is ordained that thou shouldst suffering seek 
Before the hour has come for thee to speak. 
And though 'tis lonely for thee thus to wait, 
Thy wings will but be lifted more elate ; 
For only he who finds the lowly sweet 
35 



THE SHRINE OF LOVE 

Shall rise to realms where fadeless sunbeams 

beat. 

°k 

Unselfish for Love's Sake. 
'Tis he who walks the world with sympathy 
For all its ills ; who strives with song to rob 
The weary of their care ; whose feelings throb 
Responsive unto every human plea; 
Who shows how beautiful it is to be 
Unselfish and unstained for love's sweet sake, 
That into notes of rapturous joy shall break, 
And know at last fame's immortality. 
Go forth my soul, and from this very hour 
Prove by thy life the purity and power 
Of principle ; and by thy harsh disdain 
Of all dishonor that the world again 
Shall witness one who nobly dares to do 
Alone the things he holds sublime and true. 

"To Taste of Life and Love" 
To taste of life, of love's absorbing themes, 
Then think how faintly we conceived before, 
Reminds us of the wild, melodious roar 
Of Ocean outward bearing on its streams 
Some bark which sent on its first mission 

seems. 
Forgotten is the fast-receding shore ; 
The skies, wide-arched, and cloudless, stretch- 
ing o'er, 
Bend down to meet the billows kissed with 

beams 
Of sunny splendor, and the wondering gaze 
36 



THE WAYS OF LOVE 

Is thrilled although it turn a thousand ways. 
Then find affection's sweet infinity, 
And teach thy heart to ever kindly be ; 
And the small shore of Self will soon, indeed, 
Forever from thy widening sight recede. 

°% 

"The Calm of Later Years." 
And after while the multitudinous beat 
Of billows will be stilled, and thou wilt see 
Another harbor which shall welcome thee — 
The Calm Of Later Years, which comes as 

sweet 
As autumn-time, when all the ardent heat 
Of aimless longing leaves ; when to be free 
To stroll the happy fields, and just to be 
Back with the birds is rapture as complete 
As we could ask. Ah, in that calm delight 
Abides, O soul, thy source of ceaseless might ! 
To leave Self's lonely harbor, and explore 
The seas of life and love ; and when the roar 
Of their wild water lulls, to find release 
To teach sweet truths — ah, this is perfect 

peace ! 

°k 

Absence Unavailing to Conquer Love. 
Though Ocean's tide should take thee far from 

me, 
And fate conspire to keep us long apart, 
O Sweet, forevermore my loyal heart 
Would follow after and abide with thee. 
And since all absence can but saddening be, 
This will but show the more how dear thou art. 
37 



THE SHRINE OF LOVE 

When the rich splendors of the morning start, 
And clearly sings the lark upon the lea, 
Love's tender thrills back to my breast return. 
And though, with thought to chill, thou 

shouldst forsake 
And leave me, my devotion would not cease. 
When once within love's altar-fires awake, 
For the dear worshiped idol will I yearn, 
And only in her presence find sweet peace. 

(She sees the strength of his affection for 
her, and for certain reasons not understood by 
him, pursues a course of delicate, womanly 
silence, which he deems to be coldness, and 
even scorn. ) 

°* 
41 Ah, Dearest What Is There That I 
Can Dor 
And art thou dumb, while still my bosom 

pleads? 
Ah, dearest, what is there that I can do 
More than I have to prove my heart is true? 
In bitter anguish every feeling bleeds, 
To think that, though my nature's highest 

needs 
Spring upward toward thy sweet, exhaustless 

love, 
As wakening bloom to balmy skies above, 
Their cherished hope, alas, to nothing leads ! 
Would that each midnight star whose tender- 
ness 
Looks from the dome, was now a word for me ; 
That in full flaming speech I could express 
The deep devotion that I feel for thee ; 
38 



THE WAYS OF LOVE 

And morning's splendor set to melody, 

To tell how boundlessly thy love could bless ! 

"When Thou Re garde si Not My Plea." 
Beloved heart, why be so harsh with me? 
If all the favor of dear friends I deem 
Not half so precious as is thy esteem, 
When thou regardest not my plaintive plea, 
What solace can their kindness ever be? 
Ah, dearest, thou dost cause my soul to wrong 
Their sympathy, when thus I show how strong 
The center of my life is fixed in thee ! 
They think me then ungrateful for the true, 
And tender things they are so glad to do. 
But be thou loving, and a warmth will start 
Forth from my bosom to the humblest heart 
That cares for me. Thy sweetness is the one 
Dawn-beam whence springs affection's un- 

dimmed sun. 



"But Love Is So Strange." 
But love is strange; and scorn is sometimes 

meant 
To send it an evangel everywhere 
That its sweet cheer is needed in the air. 
The soul on just one other soul intent 
Will find its homage all for nothing spent, 
If it should chance the idol has no care. 
So Nature turns us, that the world may share 
The wasted offering. 'Tis when we have blent 
Our feelings with some great, ennobling cause, 
Comes wakening to love's universal laws ; 
39 



THE SHRINE OF LOVE 

Comes the wide dawning on our wondering 

sight 
The meaning and the aim of truth and right. 
'Tis then our souls in their unselfish arms, 
Can clasp the bliss divine that truly charms. 

°% 

Love y s Potency. 

Sometimes stern Duty's rugged oath I take 
To rid me of these clinging cords of love, 
And help me, eagle-like, to rise above 
Its blinding bondage, active and awake. 
But ah, such high resolve I soon forsake ! 
For like the sound of some dear forest dove, 
Love's notes recall me and more potent prove 
Than every effort that my heart may make. 
And Pride, which can rebuke so bitterly ; 
Sage Wisdom with her counsels shrewdly 

wrought ; 
And Friendship, with the kindest feeling 

fraught, 
In vain unite their most persuasive plea 
To turn the current of my tender thought, 
And from Love's gentle thralldom set me free. 

(He renews his pleading with more passion- 
ate fervor. ) 

"For Love of Thee." 
My soul is sickened with the ceaseless care 
It has for thee. Had I but seen before 
That I should watch so wearied and so sore, 
I'd ne'er have asked thy kindliness to share. 
Whate'er thou wishest I will gladly bear, 
40 



THE WAYS OF LOVE 

If only true in thought toward me thou art. 
I would not sigh though we were wide apart, 
And skies above to all but me were fair. 
But ah, when with cold silence thou dost meet 
Love's lavish offering, life no more is sweet! 
The chilling blasts of autumn-time that blight 
The beauty of her hills and forests, cease ; 
But ah, for love of thee I leave delight, 
And walk the wilds where comes no calm nor 
peace ! 

°k 

11 ' Tis for Thy Happiness." 
Affection's sacred choice I leave with thee; 
And when thou choosest, I will say no more. 
But I beseech thee, dearest, now before 
The deed is done, that thou shouldst careful be. 
'Tis for thy happiness I make the plea, 
And not my own devotion's selfish sake. 
My soul in time can crush each cruel ache 
That comes, if only thine from gloom is free 
Thou walkest in a world where dwells deceit, 
All unsuspicious of men's artifice; 
Because thou art so guileless, pure, and sweet. 
And though I can endure my blighted bliss, 
If one unworthy win thee — oh, at this, 
With what wild anguish would my bosom beat ! 

°k 

"To Give Thee Up" 
Ah, do these gentle words of warning mean 
To give thee up, and walk life's ways alone? 
Oh, can they mean that fairest joys have flown, 
And these sweet skies shall be no more serene ; 
That I who, happy-hearted, went to glean 
4i 



THE SHRINE OF LOVE 

In hope's glad fields, return again with bare, 
And bleeding hands, and with the sad despair 
That in love hungering, weary souls is seen? 
To give thee up, and bid my breast be still, 
Which at thy slightest step was wont to thrill? 
To give thee up, and bid mine eyes to meet 
No more thy smile, so heavenly and so sweet? 
If such indeed must be my awful task, 
Alas, thou dost not know what thou dost ask ! 

"Yet Will I Wish Thee Welly 
Yet will I wish thee well, and set the right 
Of my great love aside, at thy desire ; 
Yea, at thy word, will quench devotion's fire, 
And leave its altars in eternal night. 
I will submit though in the very sight 
Of Heaven itself, whose gates I longed to gain ; 
And, at thy wish, will all my hopes restrain. 
I will go forth at thy desire, to fight 
Alone life's endless and unequal fray; 
Will bid my soul be dumb when day by day 
It wakes to call thee with despairing cries. 
Yea, I will wish thee well though all the skies, 
The hills and streams, which seemed to say 

before 
That thou wast mine, now whisper so no more ! 

At Parting. 
The music of thy voice is not for me ; 
And when anear thee now I must not broach 
The burden of my heart, lest I encroach 
Upon those rights that are more dear to thee 
Yet will I love thee still while tenderly 
42 



THE WAYS OF LOVE 

The birds around are caroling their strain. 
For though their guileless gladness gives me 

pain, 
They sound sometimes the hapless lover's plea. 
But think not I reproach by speaking thus ; 
For still have I what many never share — 
Sweet thoughts of hours that were melodious 
As coming morn ; when in thy presence there 
Were joys more rich than all the fabulous 
Arrays of royalty sublimely fair. 

°% 

"To Part in Kindly Peace." 
O send me not away, if in thy heart 
The least unkindly feeling still thou hast ; 
For wounds forevermore with lovers last, 
Though ocean's billows bear them wide apart. 
Since in this breast of mine supreme thou art, 
Dethrone not now the holy image there. 
These sweet associations I shall share 
No more ; and if, alas, the cruel dart 
Of altered tone or action cling to me ; 
It had been well if thou hadst never come 
Into this life of mine. Then still I plead 
To part in kindly peace ; lest when to thee 
In future days I cry, the skies be dumb, 
And Nature her dear self shall give no heed ! 

°% 

When Duty Bade Love Be Silent. 
Stern duty bids my ardent soul forbear, 
When in my bosom leaps wild, yearning love ; 
And points each purpose to the stars above, 
When comes the ocean-tide of tender care 
43 



THE SHRINE OF LOVE 

For her whose traits my deep devotion share. 
"Desist!" fate seems to say, "the destiny 
That all-wise Nature has designed for thee 
Denies love's sweetness now. "Then cease, 

O air, 
Of morn to bring thy beauty to my heart. 
Be still, ye birds that into music break 
On every bending bough, lest I forsake 
All silence, and aloud love's pleadings start! 
And likewise cease, ye bards, whose wondrous 

art 
Bids these wild thrills within my breast awake ! 

°% 

He Continues to Love Her in Silence. 
There is a love whose longing never gains 
The glorious object of our deep desires ; 
But lingers in the breast like smouldering fires, 
Long after lesser adoration wanes. 
The soul may stifle all its pleading pains, 
Nor show its passion save in noble deeds ; 
But still it lives, and ever onward leads 
To the supreme which human hope attains. 
With the dear idol dumb our voice may be ; 
But still the heart a holy light shall share — 
Caught from the worshiped-one's serenity, 
And from our high resolve, that, should the 

care 
Of those she deems more worthy languish, we 
Will give our all to guard her anywhere. 



44 



PART FIFTH 



When All Love's Hope Has Fallen. 

(A singular fate suddenly brings them to- 
gether again just as the unhappiness of which 
he forewarned her, is about to come ; and the 
trying conflict begins between the restraining 
power of his mighty affection, and woman's 
sovereign will in choosing her own course. ) 

s* 

Love's Final Warning. 
Eternal truth and justice at the stake 
Today are standing, and the voice of love, 
As holy as a being's from above, 
Appeals to thee to pause ; for not an ache, 
Nor sorrow stirs my soul but for thy sake. 
Self is extinguished, and whate'er I speak, 
Or do, Beloved, is but because I seek 
Thy happiness. All Nature seems to quake 
In anguish with me and aloud protest. 
To further see thy precious life distressed 
Which has already sacrificed so much ; 
To still see on thee woe's unpitying touch, 
While these strong arms can never soothe thy 

care 
With one sweet clasp is more than I can bear ! 
45 



THE SHRINE OF LOVE 

"But Go Thy Way* 
But go thy way, and I will silent be, 
However much my wounded feelings bleed. 
If thou in whom I trusted take no heed, 
Nor hast a word of kindliness for me, 
Who lavished all my life and love on thee, 
'Tis time, alas, that I were dumb indeed. 
When tender thoughts and honors which exceed 
All sweetness that thy soul has hoped to see, 
And share for years, are proffered and refused ; 
When he who would have blessed thee is 

abused, 
And turned away ; when bartered for a mess 
Of pottage is love's birthright, surely less 
In justice to myself I could not do, 
Than trust the after years to prove me true ! 

"How Often 'Tzs the Fate:' 
Alas, how often 'tis the hapless fate 
Of lofty souls to love and idolize, 
Yet win no sweet response from women's eyes; 
To plead with all the pure and passionate 
Devotion of a nature nobly great, 
Yet see but silence after all their sighs. 
Oh, that some clarion call from out the skies 
Could wake her heart ere 'tis, alas, too late ! 
Why will she linger with the shams called love, 
When Love himself with arms outstretched 

above, 
Beseeches her to share his kingly feast? 
Why will she wait until his voice has ceased 
Forever, and she languishes in need, 
Ere she those holy words of his will heed? 
46 



WHEN ALL LOVE'S HOPE HAS FALLEN 

si My Spirit Will Submit" 
Without a word my spirit will submit ; 
But thought of me, if ever to thee dear, 
Shall thrust thee through hereafter like a spear. 
The record of my love in sorrow writ 
Shall overwhelm thy soul when thou dost sit, 
And watch life's clouded skies which once 

were clear. 
Sweet seasons shall return, and thou shalt hear 
The happy birds ; but ah, love's smile that lit 
Thy heart shall then have left its heavens for 

aye! 
I asked so little, yet was turned away. 
I followed after thee till it was wrong 
Against myself to follow more. Though strong 
As warming tides my love went forth to thee, 
'Twas met by but a silent, icy sea. 

s* 

"I Wonder Not:' 
I wonder not that thy dark eyes desire 
No more to sweetly seek and meet mine own ; 
Nor that thou wishest now to be alone. 
The tender sound of love's melodious lyre 
Would strike thy spirit like a flame of fire. 
Thou art a land from which the birds have 

flown 
To find a fairer and more genial zone ; 
A sunset whose faint gleams no more inspire 
With rapture, but harass with harsh unrest. 
And what am I? A hopeless wanderer 
Among bare bowers, where birds no longer 

nest; 

47 



THE SHRINE OF LOVE 

A weary and belated reveler 

Amid sad, lonely halls from whence delight, 

And love, and melody have winged their flight ! 

s* 

4 ' Thou Wilt Reproach Me. ' ' 
Thou wilt reproach me. I remember well 
In bygone days when Beauty cast her slur, 
And scorn at me, that thou didst plead for her, 
And try my irritation to dispel ; 
And thou wilt say I [ should suppress the swell 
Of these great sorrows now regarding thee. 
Ah, dearest, 'tis the voice of Destiny 
That stirs my spirit, and which bids me tell 
The woe of every breast that has been wronged ! 
Before we were divided, I belonged 
To thee, and only spake thy precious praise. 
But unto suffering souls and future days 
I now belong, and in each thrilling word 
I speak, a thousand heart-throbs may be 

heard ! 

"I Now Can Feel." 
I now can feel the sufferings of his soul 
Who, following after erring human life, 
To lift it up from sickening sin and strife, 
And set it forward toward Truth's lofty goal, 
Beholds him shipwrecked in the treacherous 

shoal 
Of thankless sneers, and base ingratitude ; 
But who, despite it all, doth sit, and brood 
In sad conjecture how the blotted scroll 
Of life may still be made immaculate ! 
48 



WHEN ALL LOVE'S HOPE HAS FALLEN 

O absent dearest, is my love so great 
That, like the sunshine, it unnoticed is? 
Ah, couldst thou see the sorrows that are his 
Who waits, while in his breast is speechless 

woe, 
Perhaps some little kindness thou wouldst 

show! 



The Heart That Is Hard. 
It seems sometimes my soul's sad cry would 

reach, 
And thunder like a judgment in thine ears; 
That thou wouldst pity me for all the tears, 
And sighs with which in worship, I beseech. 
Sometimes it seems that if the hills had speech, 
They'd sound my cause across the endless 

years, 
And say to thee that holy Heaven hears, 
Though thou dost not. The billows on the beach 
Rebuke thee ; and the morning birds that rise, 
And trill their tender notes through all the 

skies, 
I think would mock thee : and the silent stars, 
Like sorrowing eyes, would say, "Truth's 

sword debars 
Thee from the rapture of these realms above, 
Because thou wronged a fellow creature's 

love!" 

(During this trying interval she sends him 
forth from her. He leaves with the impres- 
sion of bitter wrong). 

49 



THE SHRINE OF LOVE 

" We Seek a Friend and Find Not One" 
When she in whom we trusted has abused 
The tenderest ties entwined about the heart, 
And with no throb of pity said, "Depart!" 
With bitter words we have at first accused, 
And blamed; but, ah! the breast, though 

wronged and bruised, 
At last relents, and Love forgives it all. 
When the dear idol, that we hoped to call 
Our own, is shattered, and the scenes we used 
To stroll, are now no longer full of peace ; 
When kindness, that we thought would never 

cease, 
Is changed to coldness, and the hopes we built 
Are blasted; when the world to gloom and 

guilt 
Seems given, under all the shining sun 
We seek a faithful friend, and find not one. 

J he Soul That Is Sincere. 
But, ah ! from such disaster and defeat 
O soul, emerge thou stronger and sublime; 
And call the world to witness that no crime 
Has touched thine altar, still secure and sweet. 
Let Honor testify that in the heat 
Of every crisis thou wert fully true, 
And bid Devotion say, "Let others do 
Whate'er they please, thou wilt not use 

deceit." 
O then continue changeless as before 
The thoughtless wronged thee ; and though to 

the core 
They cut thy feelings, for each stab of theirs, 
50 



WHEN ALL LOVE'S HOPE HAS FALLEN 

Show thou the garb the nobler nature wears ; 
And league thyself with them whose deeds 

redeem 
These latter days which so degenerate seem. 

The Higher Glory. 
There is a glory higher than the gain 
Of that on which we sometimes set our hearts ; 
And, ah! so often God's relentless darts, 
Which strike our idols down, but bid us strain 
Our vision to behold a loftier plain 
Of peace, from which we were kept back 

before. 
There thoughts and themes of beauty shall 

restore 
A sweet contentment in the place of pain. 
The earth and sunny skies there meet and melt 
Together ; there the sadness which we felt 
Is lulled, and leaves us; and our hearts, elate, 
Thrill with a rapture that no tongue can speak. 
Then rise, O soul, with new resolve and seek 
The holier things that on the heights await. 

■■ We Shall Not Pause." 
'Tis Nature's purpose that we shall not pause 
To waste in fruitless longing all the day ; 
But at the dawn to waken, and away 
To where the world is battling for the cause 
Of Truth, and Love's so long neglected laws. 
Then lift thy fallen feelings and essay 
To sound a sweeter summons to the fray; 
And thou shalt find how harsh defeat but 

draws 

5i 



THE SHRINE OF LOVE 

Thee on to that which for thyself is best. 
Then calm within thee all this wild unrest ; 
Let not thy fervor be a force whose bent 
Is misdirected ; nor thy life be rent 
With petty trials, but untiring be 
To find and fill thy noblest destiny. 

"Like One Who Sees the Sunset Fade 
Away." 
Like one who sees the sunset fade away, 
When onward comes the starless, stormy 

night, 
I stand, as from my life departs the light 
Of thy dear love. Brief was its blissful day ; 
Alas, far too celestial sweet to stay ! 
Sad, streaming tears of anguish dim mine eyes, 
And after thee my heart still wildly cries. 
There is no earthly crown that could repay 
My soul for the fond hope it now gives up. 
So fully have I quaffed of sorrow's cup 
That pleasure will hereafter prove but pain. 
And ah, so rudely was I torn from thee, 
That I could never, never love again, 
Though all love's hoarded wealth were offered 

me. 

"This Is the Fate." 
This is the fate of sadness and despair 
Far worse than darkness, dearest, from which I 
Had hoped to keep us, sure thou knowest why — 
Because there is no blow more hard to bear ; 
No keener cut of thrice-armed tyrant care. 
There is no refuge underneath the sky, 
52 



WHEN ALL LOVE'S HOPE HAS FALLEN 

Where from its harsh effects the heart may fly. 
There is no lapse of seasons that can wear 
Away its wound ; no mighty hand of power 
Able to bid it leave us for an hour — 
The fate to stand divided from the one 
Who of all souls where shines the circling sun, 
Or lift the azure realms of heaven above, 
Was dearest to our life's confiding love. 

"Yea, Sweet, I Loved Thee" 
Yea, Sweet, I loved thee; loved thee with a 

pure, 
And holy worship, like to theirs who dwell 
Where love's celestial soothing harp notes 

swell. 
But ah, just when I thought I was secure 
Of thee its priceless treasure, stricken poor 
Was I with a bare want no words can tell. 
Yet shall I try to think that all is well, 
However hard my fate be to endure ; 
For ah, the soul to duty and to right 
Loyal forever, finds at last the light ! 
Conscious within that we were never false 
Nor sordid in the least desire we had ; 
A faith ineffable at length exalts 
Us far above all fate however sad. 

"Lay Thou No Sorrow to My Charge." 
At some far future day, if I no more 
Return with tender kindness unto thee, 
Remember how thou didst go forth from me. 
And I without a word mine anguish bore. 
53 



THE SHRINE OF LOVE 

When, like a watcher on some lonely shore, 
Thine eyes shall sweep the wide, unpitying 

sea 
Of life in vain for one to hear thy plea ; 
Recall the love abandoned long before. 
For though my breast in that sad day shall 

bleed, 
Because I cannot fly to fill thy need ; 
Remember, dearest, 'twas thine act which 

brake 
The bond between us. Then lay thou no ache 
Nor sorrow to my charge, in thy distress, 
When love returns no more to soothe and 

bless! 



54 



PART SIXTH 



Separation 

"Like Lone a?id Sad-Eyed Israel." 
Alas, like lone and sad-eyed Israel, 
Which saw its pride and precious glory gone — 
Down-trampled by the hosts of Babylon — 
Seem I, as now we separate to dwell 
In darkness and despair. Wild sorrows swell 
My breast such as the captive Hebrews had, 
When that loved city there amid the glad, 
Sweet hills, was fired by alien hands, and fell. 
Yet, dearest, still across the dreary days, 
Like Daniel's, shall my trusting spirit gaze: 
Beholding in each beauty of the west 
An image of the hour when I may see 
Rebuilt the hopes by which my life was 

blessed ; 
And as of old, unsorrowing, worship thee. 

"Though Thou Art Silent." 
Though thou art silent, yet I fully know 
Thou hast a higher heart that leaps and longs 
To meet mine own, despite dividing wrongs. 
Though thou, alas, art bound to things below, 
Thou hast a spirit that doth starward go 
55 



THE SHRINE OF LOVE 

To greet mine own on pinions glad and free ! 
Yea, dearest, thy sweet soul still walks with 

me 
Amid the friendly hills where breezes blow. 
My care-worn brow each evening seems 

caressed 
By thy kind touch, when turned toward the 

west. 
And when the sounds of blissful dawn I hear, 
It seems thy step, so softly sweet and dear ; 
And soon the earth and overarching skies 
Seem smiling with the love light of thine eyes! 

"The Thought of Thee.'* 
Though I may never, never greet again 
Thy precious presence, still the thought of thee 
Shall evermore my inspiration be — 
My sheltering refuge from the world's disdain: 
My sweet consoler in each trial and pain. 
Though nevermore beside me I may see 
Thy blessed self, O soul of sympathy, 
And tenderness, yet shalt thou sovereign reign 
Within my life to keep it nobly pure. 
And, ah, if fate should call thee to endure 
Sad days of sorrow for love's fallen flowers 
Which could, alas, have once been fully ours: 
Remember then that for each sigh of thine, 
A thousand griefs have wrenched this breast 

of mine ! 

"Like a Majestic Cloud." 
Like a majestic, cool, and showery cloud 
That on a long, and sultry summer's day 
56 



SEPARATION 

Uplifts its lofty form afar away, 

Love came into thy life, with weariness bowed ; 

And there continued it ; thou couldst not crowd 

It from thee, nor escape its sovereign sway. 

It rilled thy skies, and with its genial spray 

Wakened the traits with which thou wast en- 
dowed, 

And caused them to put forth, like fairest 
flowers. 

Thou didst not know how truly thou wast 
blessed ; 

But simply quaffed the solace of those hours, 

And let it soothe thy spirit's harsh unrest. 

So sweet Love was, that e'en thy griefs seemed 
set 

To music whose soft murmur said, "Forget !" 

"Hope Winged Away frotn Thee." 
Then came Love's gloaming. As the western 

skies 
Aflame with gorgeous splendors but declare 
The night at hand, the rapture thou didst 

share, 
But told its sad departure from thine eyes ; 
For as the dove that through the twilight flies 
Till lost to view, Hope winged away from thee, 
And left thee but its wretched memory, 
Lone lamentations, tears, and ceaseless sighs. 
Then Love's great shadow swelled into a cloud 
Filled with fierce lightnings, and with thunders 

loud; 
And like a bird that beats against its bars 
57 



THE SHRINE OF LOVE 

Art thou. Yet, dearest, wait; the tranquil 

stars 
May gleam again ; and afterward the dawn 
Break with lark carols saying, "Grief is gone!" 

"Go and Forget Thee" 
"Go and forget thee!" Dearest, words are 

vain. 
Bid yonder mateless, winter-weary bird 
Forget the hours when on the hills were heard 
The south-wind's murmur and the streamlet's 

strain, 
Which ne'er for it may sweetly sound again. 
Alas ! 'tis easy to annihilate 
Love's hope ; but never by the hand of fate 
Has love's sad lingering memory yet been 

slain. 
As well to bid the night forget her stars, 
When storms are loud ; or him whom heaven 

debars 
From halls of bliss to think of them no more ; 
To say to him whose royal forehead wore, 
In happier days the dazzling coronet 
Of kingly sovereignty and fame, "Forget!" 

a When Thou Art Away." 
When winds of winter strip the forest bare, 
And drive the warblers to a sunnier shore, 
Hope in the heart of Nature smiles no more ; 
For her dear scenes their desolation wear 
Till spring with scepter touch bids them be fair 
In odorous robes of flowers, and to rejoice, 
58 




When winds of winter strip the forest bare, 
And drive the warblers to a sunnier shore, 
Hope in the heart of Nature smiles no more. 
But her dear scenes their desolation wear." 



SEPARATION 

As sounds again each bird's familiar voice. 
But what to me will be the flowing hair 
The seraph step and silvery laugh of Spring 
When thou, who wast her image, art away? 
Still to the past my sorrowing soul shall cling ; 
And, if heaven wills, thou mayest return some 

day, 
Like Autumn, to these waiting arms of mine — 
Sad-eyed, but sweeter and far more divine. 

"They Speak of Battles. 
They speak of glorious battles that have 

gained 
A loftier elevation for the world ; 
Of them who stood where shot and shell were 

hurled, 
And fiery missiles were around them rained. 
But ah, a fiercer conflict far has stained, 
And rent love's banner over me unfurled — 
A moral conflict, in which I was whirled, 
And forced along by every traitor trained 
To overthrow the heart that would be true. 
And not by day alone did they pursue 
Their fiendish work, but in the silent night, 
Aroused from rest, I've put their hosts to 

flight. 
But, dearest, though ten thousand such assailed, 
For thy sweet sake and holy love's they failed! 

Love Still Sovereign. 
Then say not thou another shall secure 
The adoration of this soul of mine, [thine.] 
Which through such awful conflicts still was 
59 



THE SHRINE OF LOVE 

For as the everlasting hills endure, 

So shall my love for thee, made but more pure 

By separation, till it seems divine. 

Amid these fields, and all along that line 

Of forests have I wandered to secure 

Release from Pride's assault upon my heart. 

But forth as if from ambush then would dart 

Revenge and Jealousy to baffle me ; 

But through those troublous hours I cried to 

thee 
In spirit, and though still divided now, 
Still sovereign of my soul O Love art thou ! 

"Think It Not Strange:' 
Think it not strange when I thus execrate 
The heartless fate that sundered us for aye ; 
That I who never yet was heard to say 
Harsh words to thee, now seem to speak with 

hate. 
Ah, didst thou but divine my hopeless state 
Of anguish which increases day by day, 
As from my life thy love doth fade away, 
Thou likewise wouldst lament this fall of fate ! 
Ah, then think it not strange that thou dost 

find 
Hard accents in my voice, once only kind ; 
That these mine eyes, once soft with love's 

desire 
To heed each wish, now flame with fiercer fire. 
Alas, how could I love thee so unless 
'Roused when we both are sure of wretched- 
ness! 

60 




Then on the wings of the last fading gleams 

Of sunset shall my holy wishes fly; 

And not fall back as from an empty sky : 

But sweet as twilight to the hills and streams, 

Descend again with the celestial spell 

Of Peace, which softly whispers, 'All is well.' " 



SEPARATION 

"They Are of Love Alone" 
Yea, should these silent sorrows I have shown 
Seem in the least degree to violate 
That lofty spirit which should bow to fate — 
Remember that they are of love alone, 
And not mere idle words at random sown. 
Then should they reach thee in this awful state 
Of separation, know they are not hate, 
But holy hints of my heart's worship blown 
Across dark days and deserts unto thee 
As sweet assurance that, though sundered, we 
Are of the few who love forevermore ! 
This suffering soul of mine can stand before 
The face of Truth and Honor, and can say, 
"Strike, if I now offend in any way!" 

(He hears that she is unhappy, as he had 
warned her she would be ; and thereupon ex- 
presses his sorrow for her ; and defends himself 
for so doing. ) 

"The World Would Say." 
The world would say I have no right to speak, 
Nor show these lamentations o'er my love; 
But I will breathe them to the stars above, 
Which witness the" keen anguish of the weak, 
And helpless. Silent seem they, aye, and 

meek; 
Yet are they each the everlasting seat 
Where God's own chosen guardian angels meet 
To send forth aid to all that suffering seek. 
Then on the wings of the last fading gleams 
Of sunset shall my holy wishes fly, 
61 



THE SHRINE OF LOVE 

And not fall back as from an empty sky ; 

But sweet as twilight to the hills and streams, 

Descend again with the celestial spell 

Of Peace, which softly whispers, "All is well!" 

"Tzs Not That I Am Selfish: 1 
'Tis not that I am selfish, and desire 
Thee just to walk life's ways with me alone, 
That, like a restless sea, I sigh and moan. 
Oh, 'tis because thy spirit which was higher 
Than any woman's; and which at love's fire, 
As a sweet vestal virgin could attend, 
Is doomed through weary years to sadly spend 
Its heavenly self as lesser things require. 
Without a murmur could I see thee go 
Forever from me, if I did but know 
That thy dear heart had health and happiness ; 
And that thou wast beloved as I love thee. 
But ah, no plaintive language can express 
My woe at witnessing thy misery ! 

"I Blame Thee Not." 
I blame thee not, but ah, my burdened breast 
Laments the desolation thou hast left ! 
Life's bowers of birds and beauty are bereft ; 
And Love with anxious eyes looks forward lest 
Thou likewise shalt awake with wild unrest, 
To find his genial smile forever gone. 
Alas ! what then will be the blush of dawn ; 
The sunny noon, or glory-kindled west ; 
The far infinity of fading hills ; 
The over-arching azure of the skies ; 
62 



SEPARATION 

The golden-breasted larks, or gleaming rills, 
But sad reminders to thy dear dark eyes?, 
Redoubled then will be my weight of woe 
To see thy precious soul despairing so. 

*? 

"How Truly Dear Thou Art." 
The world will wonder, and will ask me why 
I stifle not these sorrowing words I say, 
And, like the rest, go gaily on life's way. 
Alas, the spirit that is of the sky 
Cannot behold this world without a sigh. 
What is the heart that warmly throbs, but 

when 
Hope is eclipsed, can lightly love again? 
If love doth idolize, yea deify 
Its object, 'twill not cease if fate exclude 
It from the altar where it used to go. 
Oh, then when city pleasures I've pursued 
Dim not thy likeness in my lonely heart ; 
Nor Nature's scenes console me, let it show 
But all the more how truly dear thou art. 

To What Extent Affection Flies. 
I sometimes think that holy Heaven has sent 
This awful separation down on me, 
To test the mighty love I feel for thee, 
And show the wayward world to what extent 
Human affection flies, yet is not spent. 
Across the deserts, dearest, will I seek 
Hereafter for thee; and though worn and 

weak; 
Yea, wrecked and wretched even, every rent 
63 



THE SHRINE OF LOVE 

Within thy heart my love will heal again, 
If thou but keep thy spirit free from stain. 
Far back amid these hills must I abide ; 
But still my love, whatever may betide, 
Shall daily wing its flight, and hover where 
Thou art, if thou but heed it in the air. 

/ Will Be Silent. 
At last I will bid silence seal my lips ; 
For after all thou sufferest more than I 
Since peace hath left thee now, and in thy sky 
The sun of love forever sees eclipse. 
Thy life no more like murmured music slips 
Along, but is a dreary, dull routine ; 
And hopes on thy horizon now are seen 
Departing from thee, like far-sailing ships. 
For one brief, empty hour thou didst exchange 
The calm and bliss of all the after range 
Of circling years ; and pity bids me cease. 
Would it were mine to bring thee still release ; 
But ah, the spirit for its hasty deeds 
In endless bitterness of anguish bleeds ! 

The Strength of Silence. 
Should any at thee hurl their shafts of hate 
And scorn, go silent onward, O my soul. 
Let them not lure thee to the shallow shoal 
Of small contention ; they will but berate 
Thee more thereafter. Fools that speculate 
Upon a star change not its course one whit. 
'Throned with eternal truth doth Silence sit; 
And subject unto her is every fate. 
64 



SEPARATION 

Then though the heart that thou hast trusted in 
Through all the years, against thine own 

should sin ; 
Speak thou no word of harshness, but be still ; 
For sorrowing eyes of love more deeply thrill 
Than wounding words; and they who wait, 

and bear, 
Shall victory's imperial purple wear ! 

(Up to this time in the separation he has no 
reason to believe she really loves him; but 
faint indications of the truth reach him, with- 
out her knowledge; and in the exhaustless 
tenderness of his heart, he casts away all 
thought of his own grief ; speaks sorrowfully 
of her sufferings, and declares his unchanging 
loyalty and love. ) 

°% 

"How Strange the History of Our Lives" 
How strange has been the history of our lives ! 
Blessed with a sweet similitude of heart ; 
The same high scorn of every selfish art ; 
And with that spirit which still onward strives 
Through trial until triumphant it arrives 
At glory's goal; how glad could we have gone 
Together in love's ever-widening dawn ! 
But harsh misfortune, which so oft deprives 
Us of the treasures that we deem most dear, 
Befell our hopes, and blasted them for aye. 
But ah, the hills and starry hosts shall hear 
Our hapless story and esteem it sweet ; 
And lonely fellow-sufferers day by day, 
Shall find a solace in our sore defeat. 
65 



THE SHRINE OF LOVE 

"Yet How I Miss Thee." 
Yet how I miss thee ! Dearest, every day 
I need thee. None can know my heart and soul 
As thou, who read them like a written scroll ; 
And soothed me more than seraph speech could 

say. 
How often has my spirit, held at bay 
By troubles, seen them at thy word dispelled. 
What wonder then that my devotion welled 
With its full strength to thee, and will alway. 
'Twas thou I saw when far blue western hills 
In childhood stirred me with a strange unrest. 
'Twas thou I heard when softly murmuring 

rills 
Awaked a vague, sweet sadness in my breast — 
My Love, my Destiny, whose touch yet stills 
These longings, and makes all my being 

blessed! 



"Not for the World." 
Not for the world and all that it contains 
Would I accept a spoken word from thee, 
Which said thy precious heart was still with 

me. 
But ah. there is a spirit which disdains 
All barriers that are blindly built, and gains 
Celestial summits, where it wanders free, 
And finds the One who is its destiny ; 
And there they dwell, immaculate of stains. 
Why we were sundered, and must suffer so, 
Alas, is now not for our hearts to know ; 
But in love's higher, holier atmosphere 
66 



SEPARATION 

We shall live always, to each other dear. 

So shall the streams and birds, which sound so 

sad, 
Again for us be softly sweet and glad. 

°k 

"Let Us Submit." 
Let us submit, and do our duty well. 
Go pass thy precious life in servitude ; 
And I will wander on. So shall this rude, 
And selfish world be shown how sorrow's spell 
But softens lofty souls. Though thou dost 

dwell 
In darkness, dearest, grief shall be subdued 
By knowledge that my love awakes renewed 
In strength each day, like one sweet season's 

swell 
Into another that is more sublime. 
Send me no word; for such would be a crime. 
The world beholds us ; and if we should break 
The smallest tie of truth, the shock would 

shake 
The everlasting structure of love's laws, 
And we love's altar keepers be the cause. 

°* 

" We Cannot Stifle Love's Great Soul." 
But ah, despite this awful sacrifice, 
We cannot stifle Love's great, throbbing soul ; 
Ne'er wreck his bark on separation's shoal; 
Nor sweep his flaming star from out our skies ! 
Yet we shall never meet ; for ah, my sighs 
Would swell to sorrows that I could not bear, 
To see thee in thy servitude's despair! 
The past is precious, but no soul is wise 
67 



THE SHRINE OF LOVE 

To seek the shattered wreck of its lost love, 
Unless assured that soon hope's heavens will 

clear, 
And life to both thereafter be more dear. 
Far rather let him, like the forest dove, 
Which murmurs evermore sweet memory's 

lays, 
In absence only muse of by-gone days. 

" When Thy Dear Life:' 
When thy dear life with troublous tasks is 

worn; 
And thy dark eyes with sorrow's tears are dim, 
My love shall hover like a seraphim 
About thee, to thy slightest service sworn, 
Though I then wander far away, forlorn. 
Though thou receive no sign nor word from 

me, 
My heart of hearts shall still abide with thee. 
My soul of souls on each succeeding morn, 
Shall stand beside thee and behold thy tears. 
When thy dear mind amid life's harsh routine, 
Reverts to sweeter times of long gone years, 
Look forth on Nature's softly soothing scene; 
And let thy longings seek me evermore, 
Like birds that fly to find a sunnier shore. 

°% 

"They Know Me Not, Nor Read My 
Heart Aright" 
They know me not nor read my heart aright 
Who think 'tis for myself alone I show, 
And speak this grief at harsh misfortune's 
blow. 

68 



SEPARATION 

For sure, a sympathetic spirit's sight 
Can wisely look and witness that the light 
Which on love's altar burns is but for thee. 
Suppressed, alas, must be the piteous plea 
Thy soul would utter in its hopeless night 
Did not stern Duty bid that voice be still. 
And in these words of mine that pierce and 

thrill, 
Thy stifled woe, as well as mine, is heard. 
The knowledge of thy suffering has so stirred 
My being that it will no more be bound, 
But in far-reaching notes thy grief shall sound ! 
(He learns to live without her.) 

" Faith's Star Still Shine s.'* 
Watch with thy spirit's wiser vision, lest 
Thou miss the purpose of these lines of mine. 
The truths I write are none the less divine 
With love because in sorrowing words ex- 
pressed. 
Beyond the shadows of the sunless west, 
Yea, through the curtains of the darkest cloud 
Faith's star still shines, unnoticed by the 

crowd. 
My soul still trusts that all is for the best, 
Despite the saddest things my songs may say. 
Since I must walk life's longest, weariest way, 
Bid not my solace-seeking heart be still ; 
For other sufferers follow, and until 
The height is reached whence breaks God's 

glorious dawn, 
Oh, let my harp still sweetly lead them on ! 
69 



THE SHRINE OF LOVE 

"I Would Not Be Content" 
I would not be content to just possess 
The holy treasure of thy tender heart, 
Though more than all the world to me thou 

art. 
I would not ask to share thy love unless 
It lifted me to God, and made me bless 
With songs celestial all who might give heed. 
J would not for thy precious kindness plead, 
Nor ask of thee a single sweet caress, 
Unless the light that lives in all true love 
Should shine through me, and set my soul 

above, 
Where all the weary of the world could see 
The ceaseless throbbings of my sympathy, 
And feel that thy dear heart to me was given 
To make me but an instrument of Heaven. 

"Forth from the Flames." 
Tried in the fire was I to bring the force, 
And strength within me to its destined end ; 
For though by anguish bowed, my soul did 

bend, 
Not break ; and soon its every deep resource 
Aroused, and set me on a loftier course. 
The sorrows that distressed me now recede, 
And after while it shall be dawn indeed, 
And leave no lingering shadow of remorse. 
Though thou art gone, yet still my gain is 

great ; 
For love and faith now triumph over fate, 
And I am rich with wondrous wealth divine. 
70 



SEPARATION 

Forth from the flames that torture, but refine, 
I come, and hopeful face the future days, 
Though now we walk life's wide-divided ways. 

Faith and Hope. 
'Twas early morning and the fields were sweet 
When foith with happy Faith and Hope I went 
To find life's flowers. The golden hours were 

spent 
Without a thought of sorrow or deceit. 
But soon the storms around about us beat, 
And from the skies no ray of splendor gleamed. 
Then were we separated, and it seemed 
That we, alas, no more should ever meet. 
But ah, I feel again the tender touch 
Of their dear lips ; their arms encircle me 
With warmer clasp ; and looking up I see 
How loftier than mere earthly love they are. 
And from this holy hour a purpose such 
As ne'er I've had, shall be my guiding star. 

°* 

"The World Is Beautiful Once More. 
The world today is beautiful once more. 
Across the fields a newly-wakened bird 
Now wings her flight, and vernal streams are 

heard. 
Forgotten is the gloom which was before ; 
And cheerful-hearted I can now explore 
The quiet hills ; for see, the skies are sweet ; 
And Hope with Memory once more may meet. 
The wound that pierced my being to the core 
Is soothed; a firmer faith in every one, 
7i 



THE SHRINE OF LOVE 

And consciousness that after all there's much 
To make life tranquil,^ soothes me with its 

touch. 
The fabric of affection still is seen 
Uplifting its tall turrets toward the sun, 
But ah, 'tis holier and far more serene! 



PART SEVENTH 



Through Trials to Trust Supreme 

(A long season elapses, during which he 
learns the reason of all her past action toward 
him : sees that she even loved him most ten- 
derly during all the days of her silence, and 
seeming coldness: and he pleads for the re- 
establishment of the former affectionate rela- 
tionship with her : and also tells how exalted she 
has become in his eyes. ) 

In Anguish Bowed. 
How often in our heedless haste we say 
To even one who is our dearest friend, 
"Do this, or that, and all our trust will end!" 
But like the skies, which brighten far away, 
When widening dawn awakens unto day, 
Love onward leads, and bids us follow him — 
For well Love knows that, though our eyes be 

dim 
With tears of anguish now, he will array 
Our souls with glory in the after years, 
When God's high purpose in each trial appears. 
For Love arises from the crucial test 
Far sweeter, yea, as well as sadly wise : 
And soon the sorrow which so sorely tries, 
Shall prove the angel by which we were 

blessed ! 

73 



THE SHRINE OF LOVE 

When Faith Returns. 
Though storms divide us, still shall I retain 
The tender trust that evermore was ours 
When skies were soft, and birds built in the 

bowers. 
For well I know could thy sweet voice explain, 
'T would i soon transform to rapture all my 

pain. 
On heavenly heights my heart can scarce con- 
ceive, 
Thou walkest now: but dearest, I will weave 
Love garlands for thee, and awake the strain 
This harp of mine has never caught till now, 
When perfect laurels crown thy holy brow. 
What is my kindness when compared to thine, 
But worldly worth to righteousness divine? 
What is my love to thine but one faint 

gleam 
Of starlight unto morning's sun supreme! 



"Since I Have Suffered' 
O Sweet, since I have suffered all the years, 
Cannot thy loving kindness now forgive, 
That we hereafter as of old may live? 
Heed thou my ceaseless longing, sighs and 

tears, 
Which tell how time but all the more endears 
Thee to my soul as its anointed one. 
The purest beauty I have looked upon 
Not half so precious as thyself appears. 
Forgiveness and affection are in me 
Exhaustless now, and evermore shall be. 
74 



THROUGH TRIALSTO TRUST SUPREME 

Then since this heart of mine is humbled so, 
Bid thou thy streams of feeling to reflow ; 
For ah, love is too fair of all life's flowers 
To idly toss aside if it be ours. 

°% 

He Reviews the Past, and Tells How 
Love Cha7iged Him. 
Before thy coming I was like to one 
Within his room, from all the world withdrawn. 
But soon I heard the happy sounds of dawn, 
And opened wide my windows to the sun ; 
Since bliss and beauty for me had begun. 
Then forth again, like some glad-hearted fawn, 
Into life's fields I went; and joyous on 
I've journeyed ever since; and there is none 
In the whole land who tastes such sweet 

release, 
Or finds such ceaseless, satisfying peace. 
The birds around me can but half express 
The rapture that I share; and skies which 

bless 
Mine upward gazing vision seem too small 
To shrine thee, now indeed my all in all ! 

He Tells of Love* s Reflection to the World. 
Oh, would that I amid these wayward years 
Could take the themes of love and tenderness, 
And clearly sound them forth to sweetly bless 
The world wherever suffering need appears ; 
That I could speak in language like a seer's, 
Yet soft as murmured dove notes 'mid the dew, 
And with warm feelings these hard souls 
imbue ! 

75 



THE SHRINE OF LOVE 

I'd take sweet Nature, which each day endears 
Herself more strongly to my inmost heart, 
And touch again the altar fires of Art; 
And teach the haughty with their selfish ways, 
That truth of life still wins the noblest praise ; 
That all which thrills the soul or greets the 

sight, 
Still has within it Love's celestial light. 

The Noblest Type. 
Amid earth's wearying throngs we find a few 
Whose hearts are heavenly altars, still afire 
With tenderness and truth ; who never tire 
Of Duty's call, whatever may ensue ; 
Who stand sublime, though all the sunny blue 
Of life be darkened, and warm friends for- 
sake ; 
So sacrificing that they hold each ache, 
And trial as nothing, so they still are true. 
'Tis souls like these that through the circling 

years 
Abide as lofty models to the world ; 
And like great crags 'gainst which the sea is 

hurled, 
Beat back whatever tide of fate appears ; 
Till soon the billows that did once distress, 
Submissive come to murmur and caress. 

°% 

"Thou Wert Selected: 1 
Thou art no longer as thou wast before, 
In by-gone days ; for Song hath taken thee, 
So tender, seraph-like, and true, to be 
76 



THROUGH TRIALSTOTRUSTSUPREME 

A type to womankind f orevermore ; 

Hath lifted thee where larks with love notes 

soar, 
That heedless eyes may heavenward look and 

see 
A soul from selfish faults and failings free. 
As ocean's waters whisper to the shore 
Their ceaseless music, so thy wondrous heart 
With warmest sympathy toward all doth 

stait. 
Thou wert selected for the sovereign seat 
Of fame because thy life was kind and sweet. 
Thou scornest not the lowliest task nor care, 
And honor's highest laurels shalt thou wear. 



"I Fled from Men" 
I fled from men when thou my all wert gone ; 
For oh, I could not walk the crowded streets, 
And face my fellows, lest the flaming heats 
Of baseness that burned in them, like a drawn, 
Keen saber smite me ; and I could not fawn 
Upon the fools of fashion, lest my heart 
Be stung by soulless smiles as by a dart, 
I sighed and said, "Oh that my gift were 

brawn 
Of arm, instead of heart and soul that seek 
For love and beauty fading e'er from view!" 
But like immortal music's murmur speak 
The accents of thy voice to me once more ; 
And thy dear touch, as soft as vesper dew, 
Now heals my heart and soul, once wounded 



77 



THE SHRINE OF LOVE 

"Is Thy Sweet Self the Same?" 
Is thy sweet self the same? Oh, can it be 
I look upon thee still as seraph pure 
In spirit as when thou didst seem secure 
Of sunshine, and to walk life's ways with 

me? 
Oh, shall my lofty longings find in thee 
The same untarnished nature that was thine 
In other days? Yea, only more divine ! 
Through flames of grief and floods of woe still 

free 
Was thy heart's holy altar kept, and this 
Shall bring thee honor's crown, and ceaseless 

bliss. 
Subdued thou art, but doubly sweet and 

dear. 
Yea, in thy dawn-like eyes still smiles the clear, 
Celestial light of everlasting love ; 
And murmurs in thy breast its beauteous dove ! 



"A Saintly Halo Is Around Thy Brow." 
A saintly halo is around thy brow, 
And in thy soul are truth and strength which 

make 
Martyrs immortal at the burning stake. 
If earth contains incarnate Heaven, 'tis thou, 
Who, in thy nobleness of spirit now— 
When all the world, absorbed by self desire, 
Forgets the fervor of love's holy fire — 
Submissive to such blows of fate canst bow. 
But ah, a sheltering harbor calleth thee. 
78 



THROUGH TRIALSTOTRUSTSUPREME 

For dearest, on life's ocean long enough 
Hast thou been tossed by billows wild and 

rough. 
Then let this harbor give thee once again 
Serenest calm in place of ceaseless pain ; 
And from the sorrowing past thy spirit free. 



79 



PART EIGHTH 



Love Unspeakable at Last 

(They meet amid the autumn fields in after 
days. ) 

Autumn. 
'Tis autumn on the hills. The summer's heat 
Has hastened southward, and a subtle calm, 
Which^at once a quickening and a balm, 
Has come to make the dim September sweet. 
No rapture of the year is more complete 
Than that which thrills through all thy tender 

airs, 
O autumn-time: for though thy beauty bears 
The soul aloft where larks and sunlight meet, 
Thou hast the spirit of long vanished years, 
Whose sad, vague sweetness thy return 

endears. 
Still linger in thy dales the vernal dews: 
Warm summer in the splendor of thy hues 
Is imaged still : and in thy very blight 
Abides a strange, ineffable delight. 

The A utumn of the Heart. 
There is an autumn of the human heart 
That in its spirit is akin to thee — 
When ardent aspiration comes to be 
80 




Tis autumn on the hills." 



LOVE UNSPEAKABLE AT LAST 

No less sublimely fruitful than thou art: 
When hopes and longings that within us start, 
Are all from vain ambition's fervor free. 
When kindliness asserts its sovereignty : 
And noble strength diverts dejection's dart, 
As doth a shield. When with unselfish deeds 
We meet the waiting world's unnumbered 

needs : 
When fairer than thy hues, we find within 
Us truth and honor, then the days begin 
That to the soul like thy sweet presence seem, 
O season of the circling year supreme ! 



F 



"Aye, Summer Days Are Ended" 
Aye, summer days are ended, but the air 
Is balmy, and the meadow-larks still make 
Melodious music : nor will they forsake, 
When other warblers fly to lands more fair. 
Come, dearest, while they carol; cease all 

care, 
And let love's tender rapture re-awake 
To soothe our souls of every wound and 

ache. 
The breeze shall unto us its blessing bear, 
And autumn hills around us whisper, "Peace !" 
Let us not hasten. Long for this release 
I've hoped and waited, when my heart could 

speak, 
Unhindered, all its burden: and could seek 
The idol of my breast, and ask for me 
The tender love that lives alone in thee. 



THE SHRINE OF LOVE 

"Love Has Been Guiding Me" 
Love has been guiding me since long ago, 
When skies were sunny and the fields were 

fair, 
He led me on, his sweet delights to share. 
But soon I saw 'twould not be always so. 
In conflict with affection's every foe 
I found myself — to teach me I must bear 
Rough bruises, and sad waiting's ceaseless 

wear. 
Then precious hopes were blasted at a blow, 
To try my loyalty, and prove me true. 
Not always in the dales and vesper dew 
Did he permit my lingering, but sent heat, 
And thirst to test, and make my spirit sweet. 
Oh, then since these without a word I bore 
To win thee, be thou mine forevermore ! 



"I Feel Your Perfect Peace." 
Ah, dearest, answer soft and sweetly, "Yes." 
These hands have long outstretched alone to 

thee: 
This soul has yearned to live beside the sea 
Of thy great heart's unbounded tenderness — 
Has silence kept until it could express 
In one wild sentence all my life-long plea : 
"Thou art the heaven of every hope to me!" 
Receive the shelter of these arms to bless, 
And cheer thee, since thou taught them to be 

strong 
O lips that I have idolized so long, 
82 



LOVE UNSPEAKABLE AT LAST 

Your touch is truth ! O trembling eyes, your 

gleam 
Is love unspeakable at last ! O theme 
That tongues and harps celestial never cease 
To speak, and sound, I feel your perfect peace ! 



33 



Lyrics of Love 



Beauty. 
Like April's seem thy features fair, 
Sweet maiden, for her blush so pure ; 
Her freshness ; and her grace demure, 
Beam forth in rarest beauty there. 

And oh, what brilliance in thine eyes ! 
Celestial fire the soul to thrill ; 
Light out of darkness, deep and still, 
Ascending through the dawning skies. 

And whence the music of thy speech? 
Did some meandering rivulet, 
Where overhead cool boughs were met, 
To thee those tones so cheering teach? 

And whence thy heart so free from guile? 
Sure some dear warbler of the field 
That priceless boon to thee revealed, 
Which no deceit could e'er defile. 

Long may that smile, sweet maid, be given 
To set men's souls from darkness free; 
To guide them up to purity, 
And light the way, like gleams from heaven ! 
85 



LYRICS OF LOVE 

Absence. 
The western skies are starless now; 
No beauty's beacon sweet, 
When evening comes, smiles softly down 
Where happy lovers meet. 

Thus from the heavens of my heart 
I miss a tender light ; 
For she my song, and hope, and cheer, 
Is far from me tonight. 



Constancy. 
I love thee when the morning hours 
Are joyous, fresh and new ; 
I love thee when the noontide calm 
Descends the forest through. 

I love thee when the sunset skies, 
Aflame with glory, burn ; 
I love thee when the twilight birds 
Back to their nests return. 

I love thee when the silvery moon 
Smiles down on vale and hill ; 
I love thee when the midnight stars 
Are glowing far and still. 

I love thee when the dawning east 
Proclaims the darkness o'er; 
Ah, sweetheart, wouldst thou know the truth? 
I love thee evermore. 

86 



LYRICS OF LOVE 

"Sweet Harp, How Oft:' 
Sweet harp, how oft I've known thee 
To languid be a time, 
The deeper to intone thee 
For melody sublime. 

O bosom that repinest 
At birds for silence long, 
Hark how with notes divinest 
They flood the skies with song. 

Lo, what a gleam of splendor 
Bursts from the gloomy west, 
And with effulgence tender 
Gilds all the storm cloud's crest. 

Thus when she seemed forsaking 
My idolizing heart, 
Her smile upon me breaking, 
Bade all my doubt depart. 



When Love Despairs. 
Thy love may meet with bitter scorning, 
And never reach luxuriant bloom ; 
But let the fragrance of its morning 
Still sweetly linger in the gloom. 

Forever may the days deny thee 
The bliss on which thy soul was set ; 
But leave its broken beauty by thee ; 
'Twill rob the past of vain regret. 
87 



LYRICS OF LOVE 

It came an angel voice awaking 
Thy heart to hear life's virgin hymn 
Proclaiming forth the dawn time breaking 
Along the gorgeous eastern rim. 

Thy harp had else not now been singing 
Affection's rapture strange and sweet, 
Nor Nature's glories round thee springing, 
The self -same story would repeat. 

Its golden glow thy future gilding, 
Shall quicken thee with life sublime ; 
And precious hopes that thou art building, 
To sun-kissed summits surer climb. 

A Sentiment of Life. 

A sentiment of life today 
I noted as I mused in thought ; 
And now record it, as there may 
A valued truth thereby be taught. 

Why shouldst thou deem thyself to be 
Less blessed than those of high estate? 
Thy innate worth is more to thee 
Than all the treasures of the great. 

'Tis what thou art, not what thou hast 
That maketh. thee of noble mould ; 
Thy talents truly used shall last 
When gone are stores of Ophir's gold. 
88 



LYRICS OF LOVE 

In wisdom Nature doth divide 
Her various gifts among us all ; 
And not to those of rank and pride 
Alone do her endowments fall. 



Ofttimes beneath the humblest roof 
The highest gifts of God we see ; 
What matter then if cold, aloof, 
The pampered wealthy stand from thee? 



Within thy lowly, sweet abode 
Were nurtured those conspicuous traits 
That move thee swiftly on the road 
To sure renown and glory's gates. 



Then tarry not to idly mourn 
Slights that the scornful show to thee ; 
Let such with quiet calm be borne, 
As doth become thy dignity. 



Be conscious of thy princely might, 
Without appearing vain therein; 
A firm self-confidence is right 
For lofty souls that long to win. 



Outstrip the aimless, servile crowd, 
And make for thee a noble name ; 
Then shall the haughty one be proud 
Thy slightest friendship but to claim. 
89 



LYRICS OF LOVE 

"The One That I May Love: 
I care not if her happy eyes 
Are like the morning's sunny blue 
Or dark as silent midnight's hue 
If only her dear heart is wise 
And filled with love forever true. 

I care not if her features be 
Surpassing fair as forest flower; 
Or are devoid of beauty's dower; 
If only sweet they smile for me, 
And bid me rest within love's bower. 

I care not if her station high, 
Or humble is, so she but bless 
My life with heavenly kindliness ; 
For then the very wintry sky 
Will softer seem than songs express. 

vernal days descending clear 
With hope and rapture from above, 
Bring ye the one my heart may love ; 
Then doubly sweet, indeed, and dear, 
Shall this your latest dawning prove. 

"I Once was Proud" 

1 once was proud and held aloof 
From humble things ; the cottage roof, 
Which shelters sweet sincerity, 
Appealed not then, as now to me — 
The home of sons the world would see 
Shield their dear land if put to proof. 

90 



LYRICS OF LOVE 

But soft as sound of dawning's dove 

Came intimation of thy love, 

O soul divine, to bid me wake 

To duty, and no more mistake 

The false for true. 'Twas then I brake 

The bond of self and soared above. 

For foolish fame I sighed no more. 
The scenes that simple seemed before, 
Became with fairest beauty fraught; 
And things I once esteemed as naught, 
Became the subjects of all thought, 
The idols I did most adore. 

And I was free from all unrest, 
And walked the world supremely blest. 
Within my heart the calm content 
Of Nature came, and sweetly spent 
Were then the days ; for love had lent 
To harshest duties newer zest. 

Ah, he whose loving lines have limned 

Life's humble scenes ; whose harp has hymned 

Their happness, alone hath gained 

Men's hearts. He who hath not disdained 

The lowliest flower hath attained 

Fame boundless as the blue, undimmed. 

"All Love for Thee Is Gone." 
Once and forever from me now 
All love for thee is gone, for thou, 
With whom alone was the decree, 
9i 



LYRICS OF LOVE 

Alas, hast willed it so to be ! 
The smile that made my soul to sing 
Once on a time, is now its sting; 
And thou so long its dearest theme, 
Art now, alas, an idle dream ! 

Though long I've felt that thou wouldst spurn 
My love ; still faint the hope did burn 
That surely thou wouldst not discard 
All traces of the old regard. 
But like some ruin of ancient Rome, 
Where freedom sought, but found no home, 
Henceforth shall seem my every thought 
Of thee who set me so at naught. 

Go where the gay with flatteries fawn ; 
For they more than the glorious dawn 
Of love shall please thy simple heart, 
That in such light can have no part. 
Those lofty heights, whence with disdain 
Thou lookest on me, ere long I'll gain; 
And then perhaps we will compare 
Who has the clearer title there. 

But think not thou my heart alone 
Was left, because thou didst disown 
Its love ; for ah, a haven more sweet 
Than thine was bleak is its retreat. 
Now trust I one like heaven's blue, 
Whence comes all day love's light so true, 
So constant, and so wondrous fair, 
My heart is happy everywhere. 
92 



LYRICS OF LOVE 

And as when day to night doth turn 
The stars above us brighter burn, 
Her traits in absence still attest 
How truly my fond soul is blessed. 
Yet it was well that thou unkind 
Didst treat my heart ; for now I find 
That unlike thine, its sympathies 
Are wide and wondrous as the seas. 

" When Thou Art Kind to Me." 
When thou art kind to me, 
With all the world I am at peace ; 
And this my heart, like sweet release 
From wintry blight to vernal beams, 
Toward sunnier skies upleaping seems. 

When thou art kind to me, 

A kindred kindly feeling starts 

Forth from my bosom toward the hearts 

Of all around that thrill with love, 

On earth or in the air above. 

When thou art kind to me, 
The scenes of Nature seem so, too ; 
From happy bird to bending blue ; 
And like mine own familiar friend, 
To all my gladness doth attend. 

When thou art changed to me, 
The world had too as well forsake. 
Melodious birds at dawning's break 
No rapture for my heart retain 
When it has felt thv cold disdain. 
93 



LYRICS OF LOVE 

Then still be kind to me. 
Ah dearest, do I ask too much 
To feel within my heart the touch 
Of just one gleam of tenderness, 
And know it never will be less? 
Oh still be kind to me ! 



To One Beloved. 
Thy tender soul is love's own bower, 
Where comes no chilling change of clime ; 
Where flowers are springing all the time, 
And warblers build each golden hour. 

Thy kindness like the morning sun, 
Which wakes the forest erstwhile dumb. 
To music wild and wide, doth come 
To e'en the humblest needy one. 

My bosom seeks that blissful booth 
As the dear dove at night her nest ; 
For only there I find sweet rest, 
And hear the tones that truly soothe. 

And all the while thy constancy 
Abides unchanging as a star 
Whose radiant beams at evening are 
The center of the skies to me. 

There is a thrill of tenderness 
In thy dark eyes as when I greet 
The spring, whose coming is more sweet 
Than speech of seraph could express. 
94 



LYRICS OF LOVE 

And thy dear presence can imbue 
The breast with the same calm content 
As Nature's self when we have spent 
The day beneath the undimmed blue. 

It was with thee I learned to love 

As I had never loved before ; 

And like the bird of dawn to soar, 

And sing through rapturous realms above. 

And first I learned when lingering there 
The subtle secret of the touch 
Of sympathy that means so much 
To burdened bosoms everywhere. 

And it was there I learned aright 
The truth that they who nobly do, 
Shall more than blood of royal blue, 
Be crowned with honor's holy light. 

'Twas thou who taught me to forsake 
The thrall of self, and made me strong 
To stand the wild assaults of wrong 
Like some great rock where billows break. 

If all these thoughts which thrill me now 
Were changed into a fabric fair 
As splendors of the sunset air, 
The beauteous image would be thou. 

So wondrous wise and sweet thou art, 
That all who lack might come to take 
Of thee the tender traits which make 
Akin to heaven the human heart. 
95 



LYRICS OF LOVE 

"I Love You" 
"I love you; oh, I love you!" 
'Tis on my lips at break of day, 
When meadow-larks uplift their lay ; 
Whether she's with me, or away, 
'Tis all this heart of mine can say. 

"I love you; oh, I love you!" 

When splendors of the morning stream 

Across the world it is my theme. 

From sad defeat it can redeem, 

And change my gloom to glorious gleam. 

"I love you; oh, I love you!" 

The thought still lingers through the hours 

Of all the day, when dew-kissed flowers 

Display the beauty of their dowers 

To mating birds amid the bowers. 

"I love you; oh, I love you!" 
'Tis in my heart when I retire 
To soothing rest ; the one desire 
Above all others that can fire 
The soul that starward would aspire. 

"I love you; oh, I love you!" 
And I become thereby more true, 
And tender unto others, too ; 
For soul devotion can imbue 
With sweeter spirit all we do. 

"I love you; oh, I love you!" 
A sentence simple as can be, 
Yet wide with meaning as the sea ; 
A heaven of happiness to me, 
If only answered is my plea. 
96 



LYRICS OF LOVE 

Love's Faith. 
Believe thou art untrue? 
As soon I'd say the blue 
Of heaven would never smile 
Again, because the while 
A gloomy cloud was there. 

Thee I would never doubt 
Though all the world without 
With one accord agree 
That thy inconstancy 
Has wronged affection fair. 

As soon I'd seek deceit 
In yonder lark whose sweet 
Celestial note of love 
Through all the skies above 
Now carols to its mate. 

Untrue? O tender heart 
To think that thus thou art 
Would prove that love is naught, 
And every holy thought 
Delusion desolate ! 



u When Skies Are Soft: 1 
When skies are soft, oh let them be 
My message bearer, Love, to thee, 
To say, "There is no thought within 
His bosom that has ever been 
The least untrue ; and naught shall win 
His heart from that same loyalty." 
97 



LYRICS OF LOVE 

When clouds have dimmed the morning sun, 
And gloom has o'er the earth begun 
To gather, let the absent beams 
Remind thee, Love, "He so esteems 
Thy cheering smile, that soulless seems 
The smile of any other one." 

Whene'er I see some simple flower, 
That makes more sweet my strolling hour, 
It seems thyself, so heavenly fair 
Of heart; and ah, could I but share 
Its kindness, Love, what would I care 
For worldly pride, or worldly power? 

And when the splendor of the west 
Has thrilled me with a wild unrest, 
It seems to show what I desire 
To be for thee — a soul on fire 
With lofty longings that aspire 
To make mankind more truly blest. 

All Nature, dearest, is intent 

With tenderness and beauty meant 

To teach our souls to see aright 

Sweet thoughts in things that seem but trite 

To find the love whose holy light 

Inspires each bird-note heavenward sent. 

°% 
" Were Thy Dear Heart but Mine** 
Were thy dear heart but mine, 
These bending skies above would beam 
So sweet toward earth that they would seem 
As does some lover's waiting arms 
Whose soft caress the spirit charms. 

98 



LYRICS OF LOVE 

Were thy dear heart but mine, 
These tender thoughts that sigh for thee, 
Would leap to deeds as fair and free 
As blossoms of the forest when 
Sweet spring awakes the world again. 

Were thy dear heart but mine, 
A badge of honor I would wear 
Which would denote me everywhere 
A new and loyal-bosomed knight 
Enlisted in the cause of right. 

Were thy dear heart but mine, 

These hours with thee, alas, so few, 

To bliss as boundless as the blue 

Of heaven would change, and every thought 

And hope to fullest bloom be brought. 



Oh that thy heart were mine ! 
Yet ah, love's melodies were meant 
Not all the while with sweet content 
To soothe, but often just to fire 
The soul's deep purpose and desire. 



Yet still thy heart is mine ! 
Its soothing word and soft caress 
Another one than me may bless ; 
But its ideal shall ever be 
The source of all high thought to me. 
Yea, still thy heart is mine ! 
99 



LYRICS OF LOVE 

Loyal Love. 
O Sweet, say not my ardent heatt 
For thy dear self would cease to care, 
If we were but a while apart, 
And came another truly fair 
To stroll with me ; for everywhere 
My source of rapture still thou art. 

When warblers wing their morning flight 
Forth from their mates, can we accuse 
Their little hearts of holding light 
Love's bonds? Ah, absence but imbues 
Them with more love, for like the dews 
They come again to soothe at night. 

Then never say my love is less 

Because I thrill with ecstasy 

At finding one whose tenderness 

Reminds my waiting heart of thee. 

For will not our reunion be 

More sweet than music could express? 

Watch with me, dear, the skies at dawn. 
Faint beauties first will softly break; 
And as our gaze is thither drawn, 
A widening splendor like a lake 
Of light arises, which will wake 
The world from gloom forever gone. 

'Twas thus this heart of mine was brought 
To make surrender to thee, Sweet. 
A charming grace my fancy caught ; 
ioo 



LYRICS OF LOVE 

Soon smiled a soul without deceit ; 
Then came thy presence, the complete 
Ideal my soul so long had sought. 

And the wide dawning will recede, 
Before my loyal heart will cease 
To care for thee, whose every deed 
Is kindness, every movement peace. 
Ah, rather say thou wilt increase 
In sweetness with my nature's need ! 



r 



A Christmas Love Lyric, 
There is one thing that I desire 
Above all others this glad day — 
To see the light of love's soft fire 
Within her eyes, and hear her say, 
"I will be yours; I will be yours!" 

There is one gift that I entreat 
Kind Heaven to send o'er all the rest — 
To hear her accents whisper sweet 
As murmured bird notes in the nest, 
"My heart is yours; my heart is yours!" 

There is one hope that softly charms 
And cheers my soul with peace divine — 
The hope to clasp her in my arms ; 
And while her heart beats warm with mine, 
To say, "My own!" to say, "My own!" 

IOI 



LYRICS OF LOVE 

There is one rapture I would share 
Above this happy season's bliss, 
Today abounding everywhere — 
To hear her say, with love's sweet kiss, 
"Our lives are one; our lives are one!" 

O Christmas season ushered in 
With seraph music, woo for me 
The heart of her I sigh to win ; 
And ever after shalt thou be 
My Day of days ; my Day of days ! 



A Home with Nature. 
No costly gold, no glittering gem 
Have I to give, O Love, like them 
With fortune blest ; but heaven's blue 
Will shower its sunshine, and the dew 
Gleam jewel-like, if only you 
Accept devotion's diadem. 

No mansion halls where splendors greet 
Thy gaze I boast ; but just the sweet, 
Though humble shelter of a heart 
That will divert each cruel dart 
Of discontent ; will ne'er depart 
From your dear side, nor use deceit. 

No brilliant station far above 
The world is mine to offer, Love ; 
But just a bower to cheer and charm — 
A home with Nature, free from harm ; 
Where soul communion true and warm ; 
And sympathy will ample prove. 
102 




A Home with Nature. 



LYRICS OF LOVE 

O heart to mine so much akin, 
Crowned by thy love, life would begin| 
Like endless morning unto me, 
Where warblers carol joyously ; 
And soon the sweet infinity 
Of every hope my soul would win. 



The Dearest Hope Is Yielded. 
I now know what it is to yield 
The dearest hope within the breast, 
E'en when harsh fate has not revealed 
One soothing reason why 'tis best. 

And though my heart to yield it bleeds, 
In the keen anguish of its pain ; 
I still shall try to think it leads 
To some yet undiscovered gain. 

The course of love is often wise, 
And well, though wildly rough it seem ; 
Though gloomy be the midnight skies, 
The morning still may brightly beam. 

For the deep fountains of our love 
Are never caused to spring for naught ; 
Since some sweet purpose far above 
Our clouded ken thereby is wrought. 

Though heaven thy love had been to me, 
Could I have claimed it as my own ; 
I now shall sing more tenderly 
Of love because I am alone. 
103 



LYRICS OF LOVE 

I wish thee all the happiness 
That love had meant had it been mine ; 
For though its boon can never bless 
My life, I deem it still divine. 



The Nobler Love. 

Though elsewhere, dearest, thou hast vowed 
Thy love, alas, and not to me ; 
Still calls my burdened breast aloud, 
And its sad cry is all to thee. 



Thy tender traits have intertwined 
Themselves about my life so strong, 
That with a worship wildly blind 
To thy dear self I now belong. 



Though elsewhere shines thy love's sweet 

heaven, 
Which hapless fate denied to me, 
Yet gladly would my all be given 
Still through the years to shielding thee. 



About thy way I will attend, 
To do thee every kindly deed ; 
And shouldst thou ever need a friend, 
This heart of mine that hour shall heed. 
104 



LYRICS OF LOVE 

" With Thee Away." 
I leave my home among the hills 
Because, alas, 'tis torture there 
To think, beloved, of thee. 
The silvery ripple of the rills, 
And every bird note in the air 
Tells thou art gone from me. 

I plunge in pleasure and the roar 
Of busy cities to forget 
Thy touch that so caressed ; 
But thy dear image evermore 
Awakens anguish and regret, 
And blights what once was blest. 

I seek release in other eyes, 

But they reflect the light of thine, 

And bring me no relief; 

I set to music all my sighs; 

But though that music were divine, 

'T would but increase my grief. 

I seek my friends so true and kind 
To soothe the wound within my heart, 
And make me glad again ; 
But ah, their words more surely bind 
The cords I could not tear apart, 
And quicken all my pain. 

There is no solace left me now. 
The scenes of Nature seem to say : 
"Without her, what are we?" 
And crowded cities show but how 
Sad is the world with thee away ; 
How cheerless all I see. 
105 



LYRICS OF LOVE 

Yet think not, dearest, I desire 

To make thy poignant grief more keen, 

By speaking of my own ; 

For love shall linger with my lyre, 

And still on thee my soul shall lean, 

Though now I walk alone. 



Love's Tribute. 

There are sad hearts that sigh for thee, 
Though thou, alas, art far away, 
And dost not know their love — 
Hearts which would cross the land or sea, 
And watch through weary night or day, 
Their loyalty to prove. 

There are true souls that like the star 
Which every evening cheers the west, 
Would hover where thou art — 
True souls which, though from thee afar, 
Still cry to Heaven to make thee blest, 
And heal thy suffering heart. 

The world is sweeter where thou dwelt ; 
Is happier for thy duties done, 
And speaks thy precious praise. 
Then though harsh anguish thou hast felt, 
Despair not, for hope's soothing sun 
Shall smile in after days. 
1 06 



LYRICS OF LOVE 

There is not one in all the throng 

Of wealth that crowds these busy streets 

Whose life is rich as thine ; 

O soul with sympathies so strong ; 

O breast that for the humblest beats, 

Thou art indeed divine ! 

Though sorrow dims thy dear dark eyes, 

They shall ere long be glad again, 

Since honors wait for thee. 

The everlasting hills that rise, 

And streams that murmur music's strain, 

Shall say, "How sweet is she!" 

The souls that felt thy tender touch 
Remember thee more fondly now 
And for thy sake strive on ; 
And God's own holy garlands such 
As martyrs wear, shall deck thy brow 
At love's far future dawn. 

°% 
Elsie. 



Is it her step, so softly sweet 
Descending as of old the stair, 
That step which thrills me so? 
Shall I once more my Elsie meet, 
My Elsie, seraph-like and fair, 
Who left me long ago? 

I wonder if she will receive 
Me gladly as she used to do. 
When life was all serene ; 
107 



LYRICS OF LOVE 

Still as of old in me believe ; 
Uplift her eyes, so kind and true ; 
And on my love yet lean. 

Shall I attune her life once more 
To simple and sincere delights, 
The health of every heart ; 
Go wandering with her as before, 
The shady dales and sunny heights, 
Where rills upspringing start? 

II. 

My dearest Elsie ! Yea, 'tis she. 
O dark and sympathetic eyes 
Smile on me once again, 
Responsive to love's purest plea; 
And change the sadness of my sighs 
To rapture's sweetest strain ! 

My dearest Elsie let me hear 

The restful murmur of thy speech 

That I so long have missed. 

The cloudiest skies serenely clear, 

And earth to starry realms doth reach 

When lovers' lips have kissed. 

Sit by me as in olden days, 
And bid my bliss to rebegin, 
For life has long been sad. 
Still soothe me with thy tender ways ; 
For long my Elsie hast thou been 
The heavenliest hope I've had! 
108 



The Greek Crisis 



(April, 1897.) 

"Shame on the Royal Powers." 

As we recall today each great event 
That has enabled us to nobly win 
From tyrant thralldom and the ceaseless din 
Of arms our ocean-guarded continent, 
O Greece, we thrill to think how thou hast spent 
The years in strife, and now must rebegin 
To battle for those blessings that have been 
Our own with scarce a blow. Ah, was it meant 
For some to share such dear immunities, 
And then all rights to feebler realms refuse? 
Shame on the royal Powers that will not use 
Their sovereignty, which could suppress with 

ease 
Thy foeman Despotism, whose base decrees 
The simplest justice brutally abuse ! 

°% 

"Still Firmly Stand" 
Then noble heroes of the Hellespont, 
Still firmly stand to your resolve sublime 
That Crete shall not be trampled in a time 
When other lands are free. Oh, let no want 
Of heart in tyrants for a moment daunt 
109 



THE GREEK CRISIS 

Your high intent ! The world will not refrain 
From aiding those who struggle so to gain 
Sweet Liberty, nor longer leave to taunt, 
And jeers her fame, immaculately fair. 
Despite the dallyings of each coward State ; 
Despite all weapons in the hands of Hate, 
And Hell against you raised, earth's millions 

share 
Your hopes, and will not leave you to your 

fate, 
But throng to your support from every where. 



" This Wrong Should Never Be." 
Would that the sympathy of the world's great 

heart 
Which throbs today for the down-trodden 

Greek, 
Could for a while heaven's retribution wreak, 
And everywhere fierce strife for freedom start — 
A strife to spread through the remotest part 
Of the Domain of Despotism, and seek 
Its dire destruction. Rise, ye lands made 

bleak 
So long by tyranny, and soon the mart 
Of trade shall smile where war and pillage 

waste ! 
This state of shameful wrong should never be, 
While righteous realms retain supremacy. 
The Isles have sworn they nevermore will taste 
Oppression, but will have a freedom based 
On justice, honor, and humanity. 



THE GREEK CRISIS 

"Abandon Not Thy Cause.'' 
Though conquered in the field, yet never cease 
But seek the wilds where freedom has her 

home; 
And strike from there, like lightning from the 

dome 
Of heaven, the blow to bring thy sons release. 
To shackled millions there can be no peace 
But that of full-triumphant liberty ; 
And while Oppression's prisoners look to thee,' 
Abandon not thy cause, heroic Greece ! 
The world is with thee, though its sovereigns 

seem 
Leagued with the foemen of that holy cause. 
Then fling thy banners forth through all the 

blue 
Of spring's sweet skies, with Justice for thy 

theme ; 
And every land that loves enlightened laws, 
Shall stand with thee thy struggle to renew ! 



°k 



'■ They Tell Us, Greece." 
They tell us, Greece, thy glorious fame is gone ; 
That noble valor dwells no more with thee. 
But in thy latest strife for liberty, 
How fair thou art, compared with those who 

fawn 
Upon thy heartless foeman, or, withdrawn 
To safety, watch thy struggle to be free, 
And burst the bonds of them that shackled be ! 
in 



THE GREEK CRISIS 

Cursed be thy slanderers! The awakening 

dawn 
Of days that shame the old is thine again. 
Thermopylae, and Marathon ! Aye, true, 
Immortal fields and fames; but to them who 
Fight not for self, but for their fellow-men, 
And ask no aid of any even then, 
The laurel of all laurel wreaths is due ! 



" These Dastard Realms." 
Our bosoms bleed for thee as for some heart 
Left by the one who deeply wronged its love ; 
And should these skies, which smile so calm 

above, 
Change into darkness, and fierce lightnings 

dart 
Dire vengeance on the realms which stand 

apart, 
While fiendish hordes through all thy borders 

swarm, 
Just were the work of heaven's wild, sweeping 

storm. 
Fight, though abandoned by the world thou art. 
Fight, though the hand of help be still refused ! 
Then should the flowers of freedom's spring 

which seem 
Alone with thee, expire, and her fair gleam 
Fade into night because thou wert abused, 
These dastard realms would be but rightly 

used — 
Which raised no arm of valor to redeem ! 

112 



THE GREEK CRISIS 

"Has Ho?ior Faded?" 
Has honor faded from the human heart, 
And pity for the helpless now become 
A byword and a sneer? Aye, else not dumb 
Would sit the nations while those devils start 
Afresh their strife infernal where high Art, 
And holy freedom had their origin. 
The ties that once made all mankind akin 
Are lax today because of lucre's mart 
Why trifle longer, O ye lands? Redeem 
These deeds of shame, that should have been 

sublime ! 
Shall Turkish tyranny still dim the gleam 
Of a new-dawning century of time? 
If so, then through the years the saddest theme 
On human tongue shall be your awful crime ! 



" When the Strife was Stopped" 
At last the lands have wakened; freedom's 

cause, 
Which seemed abandoned, cries aloud no 

more ; 
And sweet the strains that from the classic 

snore 
Of Hellas come. Anear the dawning draws 
When homes shall be secure through better 

laws; 
When Justice, that the world so long forebore 
To honor, shall be loved as ne'er before. 
The pleading of the poor prevails, and warm 

applause 

113 



THE GREEK CRISIS 

Is heard wherever beats a human heart. 
The sword of Greece, so nobly raised to smite 
The tyrant Turk assailing helpless Right, 
Has waked a thrill that never shall depart ; 
And on the Powers that stood for her today, 
May freedom's sunny light smile down for aye ! 



A Lesson-Giver to the World. 
Still art thou lesson-giver to thejworld, 
Though now the lands no longer from thee draw 
Their lofty thoughts in letters, art, and law — 
Thou Greece, who though hot shells were at 

thee hurled, 
Stood forth undaunted, with thy flags unfurled 
For more than art, and law, and literature — 
For liberty which makes the least secure ! 
What matters it though other realms have 

whirled 
On wheels of progress past thee long ago ; 
When from thy springs the same sweet waters 

flow 
That cheer the wronged, the weary, and op- 
pressed, 
Whose injuries are still, still unredressed? 
The broadest empires with their wealth are 

now 
Not half so noble nor divine as thou ! 



114 



Lyrics of Liberty 



The Noble Beginning. 

What mean these thunder tones that shake 
The peace of realms beyond the sea? 
They mean true men do not forsake 
Their kindred struggling to be free. 
With hissing shells that in the night 
Fill all the skies with lurid flame, 
Greece has begun the glorious fight 
To rid our century of its shame. 

Immortal deeds of days that were 
Are matched by other deeds sublime — 
Deeds that when told at morning, stir 
With wonder earth's remotest clime. 
From the achievements of this hour 
Her ancient grandeur rebegins ; 
And now we wait to see if power 
And wrong, or holy freedom wins. 

This side the ocean's dashing foam, 
O Greece, our bosoms throb for thee ; 
Aye, none there are who have a home 
But bid thee fight for liberty. 
In favored lands where freedom's light 
Smiles down from skies forever fair, 
We little think how rich a right 
Is her sweet sunshine that we share. 
ii5 



LYRICS OF LIBERTY 

While other realms deprived of these 
Same rights, still vainly strive therefor; 
And have through weary centuries 
Endured annihilating war. 
But Greece, thy flags today unfurled 
Shall hasten all mankind's release 
From tyranny, and to the world 
The reign of justice and of peace ! 

Fight till the last base link is riven 
That has chained down your kindred long ; 
Though few, yet in the sight of heaven 
Ye shall be more than millions strong ! 
Fight till the waves along the shore 
Shall sound aloud sweet hymns of praise ; 
Till with your cause the cannon's roar 
Shall set the world's great heart ablaze ! 

(April, 1897.) 
The Fatal Fitiale. 
These men of modern times are meek 
As mice. They let the valiant Greek, 
Through centuries tortured by the Turk, 
Stand forth for freedom while they shirk 
Like dastards with their banners furled, 
The scorn and shame of all the world. 

This curst "Concert," so called, of theirs 
Is not composed of stirring airs, 
Which sound aloud sweet notes to thee, 
O Freedom, but the harmony 
Of Mammon's minions who forsake 
Their fellow men for what they make ! 
116 



LYRICS OF LIBERTY 

Watch when the tyrant has o'errun 
Heroic Hellas ; every one, 
Though like a Mars for war equipped, 
Will see the smaller kingdom stripped 
Of all caprice could wish to rob, 
Yet with no thrill of pity throb. 

If Greece must bear this fiendish blow 
Then friend indeed is changed to foe ; 
And humankind, depraved by pelf, 
Seeks but to serve its soulless self ; 
While all who dare the least dissent 
Must suffer brutal punishment. 

And is our land become untrue? 
When now she neither hearkens to 
Soft southern breezes that beseech, 
Nor wild waves breaking on the beach, 
With warnings that she heed the plea 
Of Cuba, struggling to be free? 

But never for submission take 
This present lull. Deep mutterings shake 
The future skies ; and wild alarm 
Shall leap therefrom and bid us arm 
To blast the curst oppressor's cause, 
And clear the way for freedom's laws ! 



(May, 1897.) 

For Cuban Liberty. 

Land of our fathers, long enough 

Hast thou reposed in lethargy, 

While helpless realms, where storms are rough, 

117 



LYRICS OF LIBERTY 

Outstretch their pleading hands to thee. 
Why sittest thou in silence meek, 
While cunning cowards at thy door 
Destruction on our kindred wreak, 
Like ocean gales along the shore? 

Shall taunt of tyrants make thee pause 

While Cuban homes to ashes burn? 

When calls aloud a people's cause, 

Such traitorous trifling thou shouldst spurn. 

A cringing nation cannot win 

A shadow of the world's respect; 

Nor wilt thou till thou shalt begin 

To do as Duty doth direct. 

Do Mammon's minions, lest they lose 
A little lucre, bind thy might? 
Then burst thy thralldom, and abuse 
No more the holy cause of right. 
If thou wouldst keep thy record fair, 
And regent of republics reign, 
Then stand not idly anywhere 
That valiant men do kings disdain. 

Undaunted Cuba will be free, 
Despite all deeds of power and pelf; 
Abandoned though she be by thee, 
She still shall struggle for herself ; 
This Western world was meant alone 
For freemen, not the favored few ; 
And royal rule it will disown 
While bends above wide heaven's blue! 



118 



The Cause of Cuba 



The Wrecking of the Maine. 
Talk not of lucre as a recompense 
For outraged honor, and warm heart blood 

spilt ; 
Else then not Spain's, but ours will be the 

guilt. 
Our conscience is not stifled, nor our sense 
Of justice dulled. Though war clouds gather 

dense, 
And threatening, still shall we continue true, 
And never yield what now is but our due. 
Yea, for these sins our sabers in defense 
Of starving Cuba shall be swiftly drawn. 
Wedded to peace are we ; but, ah, the brawn 
Of our right arm can strike with furious might, 
When sickening wrongs continue in our sight ! 
And speedier than the night-dispelling dawn, 
Shall we arise, and put these foes to flight. 

" When Once Insulted" 
Not swift are we to wrongfully suspect 
Another nation of intended ill ; 
But ah, when once insulted, devil skill 
Cannot avert the blow that we direct ! 
Our banner, crimson barred and star-bedecked, 
Shall force these foul, infernal fiends of Spain 
119 



THE CAUSE OF CUBA 

To sue for mercy, or like beasts be slain. 
No more shall their unhallowed hands infect 
The holy halls of freedom. Every bird 
Returning to our fields from Cuba bears 
The burden of her cry, which shall be heard ; 
For soon spring's soft, and sweetly murmurous 

airs 
Shall swell into a wild and sweeping gale 
These curst Castilian legions to assail ! 

When War Must Come. 
Sweet are the strains of happy birds and 

streams ; 
And sweet the ways of study, lore, and art ; 
Inspiring is the sight of prosperous mart ; 
And argosies that sail to where the beams 
Of morning smile, or sunset splendor gleams, 
Dispensing to the world our goods and grain. 
But Duty's voice today bids us refrain 
From these pursuits of peace, and to redeem 
The sore-oppressed, ere 'tis, alas, too late. 
Stand back, ye throngs athirst for wealth, and 

wait! 
Ye shall not barter while your brothers' blood 
Is shed like water in your very sight. 
Desist ! Else Righteous God's avenging flood 
Of fury shall your guilty spirits smite ! 

" What is this Boastful Spain?" 
What is this arrogant, and boastful Spain? 
A heartless shrewd deceiver that would stab 



THE CAUSE OF CUBA 

Whoever dares rebuke her hands which grab 
In selfish greed her fellow-creatures' gain. 
Heaven has inscribed on her escutcheon, 

"Stain!" 
And Truth has written on it, "Treachery!' 
Her empire builded here was meant to be 
A realm where tyrants could unhindered reign ; 
And glut themselves on subjects sore oppressed. 
But thou, O proud Republic of the West, 
Didst rouse to blast her hellish, cunning 

schemes ; 
Aye, and today wilt fight till all thy streams 
Run red with blood, before thou wilt obey 
Her base behests, or freedom's cause betray ! 

"The Day For Dallying is Gone." 
The day for dubious dallying is gone. 
Thou, Land of Liberty shalt heed the cries 
Of helpless Cuba. Her sad, hopeless eyes, 
That scan the darkness for a sign of dawn, 
Shall see the light. Fleet as a startled fawn 
The fervor of thy heart now leaps to her. 
No longer like an anxious, trembling cur 
Shalt thou shrink back ; for thy keen sword is 

drawn 
For justice now, and shall be sheathed no more 
Till the last alien leaves that sunny shore. 
Soon shall her valiant-hearted patriots hear 
The friendly step they've listened for so long — 
Thy step, O great Republic, come to cheer 
Her, and to curse the fiends that do her wrong ! 

121 



THE CAUSE OF CUBA 

"Arouse, Ye Millions I " 
Arouse ye millions, from rock-girdled Maine 
To flowery, far-off California's coast, 
And sweep into the seas this hireling host 
Assailing us from tyrant-serving Spain ! 
Arouse ye sovereign States! the Union's strain 
Thrills wildly from the bugle's brazen throat; 
And still The Stars and Stripes above you float. 
Cleanse from Columbia's shield this fouling 

stain 
By impious, old-world wretches printed there. 
Strike as one man your legioned foes, and tear 
In shreds the rag they flutter in your face. 
Yea, show them every one that, by the grace 
Of Heaven ye will avenge this crime and wrong 
Wrought by their base and bloody hands so 

long! 

United Indeed. 
The myriad millions of the North and South 
When liberty is wronged will never lag ; 
But will fling forth the same dear starry flag 
Our fathers followed to the cannon's mouth. 
Then shall we see depart the long, sad drouth 
Of alienation 'twixt once warring States, 
As on they go to Glory's flowery gates. 
The wealthiest magnate with the rough, 

uncouth 
Workman shall march in sweeping battle line. 
The music that inspires us more divine 
Than ever in our history then shall sound. 

122 



THE CAUSE OF CUBA 

Our hearts shall thrill, and our glad pulses 

bound 
As ne'er before ; and we shall see begun 
Indeed the days that make our Union one ! 

"The Valor of the Past: 1 
The valor of the past has waked again 
Through all the land. The spirit that inspires 
Us is the same that stirred our noble sires, 
In earlier days. Aye, when they dared disdain 
Oppression's rod, think not their sons will feign 
Affection for the servile hordes that hire 
Themselves to do a despot's base desire. 
Our step is quickened by the same sweet strain 
That thrilled their breasts to battle long ago. 
Our hearts .are kinder, and our hands more 

slow 
To strike than theirs ; but Justice sits secure 
And honored in her station still today ; 
And though the world assails it, not less sure 
We'll follow our dear flag into the fray ! 

"O War, We Welcome Thee!" 
O War, we welcome thee, though in 'thy wake 
Stalks Slaughter glutted with heroic blood. 
We will not falter though a lava flood 
Of hate from hell's own hot abysses break; 
For what of that, when Cuba at the stake 
Is shackled, and no helper heeds her cry? 
Determined are we now, and will defy 
Castilian cannon blasts for freedom's sake. 
123 



THE CAUSE OF CUBA 

Our country's call has sounded, and its note 

Reverberates from forest hill and dale. 

Loud answering cheers leap from each loyal 

throat ; 
And soon her valiant sons shall form and scale 
The ramparts of Havana and arraign 
These wretches for their crime against The 

Maine ! 

"Ye Foreign Realms!'* 
Ye foreign realms that stood so idly by 
When hapless Greece sublimely fought, but fell 
Before the overwhelming hosts of hell, 
Behold our starry flag that floats on high — 
Columbia's answer unto Cuba's cry, 
And Destiny's decree that all who dwell 
Anear this Union shall be free as well 
As we who live beneath its glorious sky. 
Land of our Fathers, we will follow thee 
Through awful flame, and gleaming saber 

stroke, 
To break asunder this Castilian yoke ; 
To win this Western world for liberty; 
And show to kings that though thy borders 

stream 
With slaughter, thy right arm shall still 

redeem ! 

°k 
On Certain Foreign Criticism. 
Charge if ye'will that 'tis but to acquire 
A new possession that we strike this blow. 
The taunt shall stay us not, for we will show 
124 



THE CAUSE OF CUBA 

That 'tis your breasts that burn with base 

desire 
For conquest ; ours alone with freedom's fire. 
Think not since soulless Europe sits at ease, 
That we will seal our lips, while tyrants seize 
And slaughter helpless subjects that aspire 
To shield their k throats from ^brutal hands of 

hell. 
Fret not yourselves with fear that Mammon's 

spell, 
Which lusts for broader lands and richer gain, 
Shall fall on us, as now it shackles you ! 
For we will fight, whatever may ensue, 
Till liberty and truth triumphant reign. 

When Europe Arms. 
Armed are the realms, and toward the Orient 
Their martial tramp, it seems, shall soon be 

heard. 
To factory and farm shall come the word, 
"Be still!" Your sturdy strength must now 

be spent 
In widening by strife the vast extent' 
Of selfish empires. Rouse ye! Gird your 

loins ! 
The bugle calls to shield the wretch who coins 
His gold, and not to aid your fellows bent 
With cruel burdens that they cannot bear. 
To earth's oppressed these nations say, "Be- 
ware! 
Peace is at stake ! 'Twere wrong to interfere !" 
125 



THE CAUSE OF CUBA 

But when they see assailed what is more dear 
Than sweetest liberty — their lust for gold, 
Not Heaven nor Hell their murderous hands 
can hold ! 

°k 
The Hope of Earth's Oppressed. 
But thou, Republic, art a nobler State 
Than selfish empires ; and thy righteous sway 
Is widening and extending day by day. 
Love is thy law ; and human hearts that hate 
These realms which sleep while truth and just- 
ice wait, 
Exultant leap to warmly wish thee well ! 
Thy moral strength shall with restraining spell 
Fall on the ruler who would desolate 
For servile ends the lands that live at peace. 
Ere long shalt thou with but a word release 
The injured from the fiend who does ^them 

wrong. 
Yea, and thy armies, 'though so wondrous 

strong, 
Are only marshalled when some fool defies 
The flag of freedom in our sunny skies ! 



126 



America's Answer 



(To Alfred Austin.) 

I. 

What though a thousand leagues of billowy- 
brine 
Divide us, British brothers, still our blood 
Is Anglo-Saxon. Love o'erleaps the flood 
Of sundering seas, and links with bonds 

divine. 
Leagued are the sons of that immortal line 
The whole world through; and as we now 

await 
The wild assault of harsh Castilian hate, 
Our soul exultant thrills to see the sign 
Of sympathy that bids us to be true. 
Aye, and with nobler strength shall it imbue 
Our mighty arm ; and in the battle's blaze 
Shall still inspire us, till the precious days 
Of peace return ; when our triumphant cause 
Shall lead the lands to learn more righteous 
laws. 

II. 

Why should we deem as but "a worn out tale" 
Our Revolution's record writ with fire, 
And woeful tears ; when every patriot sire, 
Who then went forth to face the fiercest hail 
127 



AMERICA'S ANSWER 

Of hissing shot and shell that could assail, 
Showed but this Anglo-Saxon blood we boast — 
That same stern spirit which doth keep thy 

coast 
Secure, O England, while proud empires fail ! 
For ah, no bitterness now taints our breast! 
This great Republic of the far-off West 
Hath thy fair likeness in her lovely face; 
And in her form thine own perennial grace. 
Yea, and her lifted eyes, like thine, are clear 
With freedom's smile, divinely sweet and dear ! 



128 



On Reported French 
Enmity to America 



Alas, and is the land of La Fayette 

Now leagued against us? She who nobly drew 

The sword in our behalf, and boldly blew 

The clarion of liberty that set 

The earth athrill — ah, can she so forget? 

In face of frowning foes when friends were few 

She stood our stay and shield the wild storm 

through ; 
And crowned Columbia with the coronet 
Of stars — the first Republic of the free. 
And now so false ! Such is the cold world's 

way. 
The tenderest, truest friend we have today 
Tomorrow wrongs us ; and the eyes we see 
So softly smiling now ere long will glow 
With that dark hate which deals the dagger- 
blow! 

II. 

Yet still Columbia hath a friend whose breast 
Beats warm with hers — Beloved Britannia, 
thine ! 

129 



FRENCH ENMITY TO AMERICA 

What though the world may mock her and 

malign 
Her lofty aim in aiding the oppressed? 
The knowledge of thy kindness hath caressed 
Away her cares ; and freedom's darkened skies 
Again are clear. Thy heart and hers are wise 
Through their estrangement: yea, are even 

blessed. 
Thy words are dearer, and thy mother smile 
Is sweeter now since it doth reconcile, 
And bind her to thy breast forevermore. 
United are ye now. The sword that slew 
The allied hosts of tyranny before 
Can smite them at another Waterloo ! 



30 



Why Should She Now 
Be Spared? 



i. 

What though she's prostrate ; why should she 

be spared 
Who showed no mercy while she proudly 

reigned? 
Hard-hearted torturer ; since she so disdained 
All kindness, let her shoulders now be bared 
To feel the whips her helpless victims shared. 
The God of Battles wills it ; He commands 
To slay this Amalek of modern lands. 
This haughty devil that so boldly dared 
Defy His holy justice, let her fall ; 
And He himself shall mock her if she call. 
If but one soul abided that was just, 
Within her borders, Vengeance still might stay 
The work of slaughter ; but she stands today 
A Sodom and Gomorrah, His disgust. 

II. 

To us His Israel hath He given the sword 
Of retribution to avenge His own; 
To change the lamentation and the moan 
Of captives to rejoicing, at His word ; 
131 



WHY SHOULD SHE NOW BE SPARED? 

To fall like lightning on this hellish horde 
That still befoul dear Freedom's altar-place, 
And fling harsh insults in her very face. 
Not till our thundering guns have full restored 
Sweet Freedom to her shrine again shall Peace 
Outstretch her wings to bid red slaughter cease. 
Not until suffering Cuba shall be crowned 
With sovereignty, and sit amongst the free, 
Shall war subside ; nay, not till Spain is bound, 
And banished to her dens beyond the sea! 



132 



PRINTED BY R. R. DONNELLEY 
AND SONS COMPANY AT THE 
LAKESIDE PRESS, CHICAGO, ILL. 



